Plastic packaging is often the choice for carrying, storing, and maintaining the quality of food or beverages. However, not all plastic materials are safe to use. Well, you can find out whether the packaging is safe or not from the triangle code at the bottom.
Plastic packaging seems to have become a part of everyday life. Not only more practical, plastic packaging is also available in a wide selection of models that can be tailored to your needs, ranging from plastic bags, plastic drinking bottles, food containers, to various household items.
However, not all plastic materials are safe to use, especially for food and beverages. You can tell this from the triangular logo at the bottom of the package.
Understanding the Meaning of the Letter Codes Under Plastic Packaging
The arrowed triangle logo on the bottom of the plastic packaging is usually marked with a numeric code 1–7. In addition, there is also a letter code under the triangle, namely:
- PET or PETE
- HDPE
- PVC or V
- LDPE
- PP
- PS
- OTHER
These codes are the code for the raw material of the plastic packaging used. The following is an explanation of each letter code:
Code 1 with PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)
Plastic packaging with this code is made of polyethylene terephthalate, which is usually clear or translucent in color, has a smooth surface, is not easily damaged or broken, and is heat resistant.
PETE material is able to block oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide out or into the packaging. Therefore, this material is very suitable for packaging soft drinks, mineral water, juices, mouthwashes, and sauces.
In addition, PETE labeled plastic bottles are also known to be safe to use. However, its use is only limited to one time use. Repeated use is known to be harmful to health, because the PETE material can dissolve into drinks.
When dissolved, these ingredients can trigger the appearance of DEHA toxins that can cause liver problems, reproductive problems, hormonal disorders, and trigger cancer.
Code 2 with HDPE or PE-HD (high-density polyethylene)
This code indicates that the plastic packaging uses the type high-density polyethylene. HDPE has good chemical resistance, so it is widely used as a material for making plastic bottles for beverage products, shampoo, detergent, motor oil, bleach, and refillable gallons of drinking water.
Code 3 with PVC or V (polyvinyl chloride)
There are PVC materials that are flexible and rigid. Flexible PVC is usually used for plastic medical waste containers, meat wrappers, and plastic food container covers. Meanwhile, rigid PVC is often used for building materials, such as pipes or fences.
Because of its highly toxic substance, the use of PVC is prohibited as a raw material for plastic packaging for food and beverages. This is because PVC contains very high chlorine. In addition, the additives in PVC can be released and expose humans to toxic substances, such as lead and lead.
Code 4 with LDPE or PE-LD (low-density polyethylene)
This type of plastic is relatively hard, flexible, and transparent in color. Usually, LDPE is used for shopping plastic bags, plastic trash bags, drink lids, milk carton paper linings, and children's toys.
Code 5 with PP (polypropylene)
This type of plastic material is resistant to high temperatures and is often used for storing food, drinking bottles, baby drink bottles, margarine holders, food wrappers, medicine bottles, sauces, and syrups. This type of plastic is also very safe to use as a place for food and drinks.
Code 6 with PS (polystyrene)
Plastic packaging made of polystyrene This is one of the safest materials to use as a material for making cups, plates, bowls, spoons, forks, plastic containers, bottles, eating places. styrofoam, and a disposable drink holder.
Code 7 with OTHER or O
If the plastic bottle is labeled OTHER on the bottom, it means that the drink holder is not made of the six ingredients above. There are four types of plastic that fall into this category, namely: styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), and nylon. According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, SAN and ABS can be used for food and beverage packaging.
Meanwhile, PC is prohibited from being used because after testing on animals, PC compounds contain bisphenol A or BPA, which if exposed to high amounts are suspected to cause several health risks, such as:
- Genetic disorders
- Cancer
- Metabolic diseases including obesity and diabetes
- Decrease in life expectancy
- Impaired body growth
In addition, the use of BPA-contained products during pregnancy is known to be detectable in blood and breast milk, which can harm the baby.
Before you buy a plastic food container or water bottle, it is advisable to re-read the code on the bottom of the package. Don't make the wrong choice or even buy plastic packaging that is not labeled at all.
Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you experience health problems due to the use of plastic packaging products, especially plastic materials that are used only for single use.