Plastic is a type of material made of polymers, and it is a compound of small molecules called monomers that can be formed, including many types such as cellulose, which is a natural substance and polystyrene, which is an industrial substance, and protein is an example of polymers formed from amino acids.
If you’re looking to create plastic food packaging, it’s essential that you understand which plastics are food-safe.
Here are the most common plastic resins:
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): PET resin is stable. That means it doesn’t degrade when in contact with food or beverages, it resists corrosion, and it repels microorganisms. These qualities make it ideal for food contact.
Polypropylene (PP): You likely have polypropylene plastic in your fridge and cupboards right now: it’s regularly used in reusable food storage containers.
Polypropylene’s high melting point makes it suitable for microwavable food containers. It’s non-volatile and doesn’t react to liquids, acids, or bases, so it’s perfect to store a wide High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE):
HDPE resin produces plastic that is corrosion-resistant and absorbs little moisture, making it well-suited for storing beverages. Also, HDPE containers don’t leach chemicals into their contents.
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE: LDPE has good chemical resistance, high impact strength, and strong wear absorption. Like PET and HDPE plastics, LDPE can hold your food products without leaching any harmful materials or allowing microorganisms to permeate.
Polycarbonate (PC): Polycarbonate is commonly used in water-cooler bottles, baby bottles, and reusable water containers.PC is an especially tough plastic (it’s used for bullet-resistant windows), making it ideal for “unbreakable” water bottles and storing large amounts of a product.
Tips for using plastic also it is very important to follow the necessary instructions when using such as:
1: Not to eat hot foods or drinks with plastic utensils, because heat helps the decomposition of plastic and the interaction of its components with food or drink
2:Drinking bottles should not be used more than once or refilled, which is valid for one use only.
3:Plastic plates are not used to preserve meat and cheese for a long time
4 Do not feed children or pregnant women in plastic containers to avoid their possible impact on them.
5:: Do not expose used plastics to heat, whether by heating food in the microwave or by packaging hot food.
Finally, try to replace some of the plastic utensils with other types, such as glass or others, as it is safer and make sure that the optimal use is made of different types of plastic.