Plastics and Food. Which is SAFER?

Just like everything in life, it has its pros and cons. most times you come across somethings and if care is not taken you absorb the information it is providing and for the rest of your life your building on some faulty premise. I came across this article sometime on the internet and I really did not take it to heart, because it was challenging everything I have known about plastics growing up.

 As Africans, we tend to reuse plastics, not because we can’t afford to buy new plastic bottles for water but I guess we are just lazy, ( or some weird people use it to show the kind of beverage they drink in their houses, Just Kidding).

This article told me that all the plastics water bottles i have been using are bad to my health, he went on to say that most PET plastics can release heavy metals and plastics that can affect hormonal balance. That I should just use them once and throw them away. I just told myself this can’t be true and I skipped the article.

Yesterday when i went to buy bottled water, I just found myself looking at the bottom of the can to know the type of plastic I was buying ( you really have to appreciate the power of the subconscious mind). You see even though I have decided not to acknowledge the information, I have become aware of it.

So back to plastics, because this is a large subject I focused on only the types that can be used to make Food related products, You all know how much I like food. LOL ie PET,HDPE,PP

Was there any truth in what he said about PET plastics or was it just another person who has refused to spend time on research to give accurate information, so I went on my own research

PET (normally labelled 1)

PET, which stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate, is a form of polyester (just like the clothing fabric). It is extruded or molded into plastic bottles and containers for packaging foods and beverages, personal care products, and many other consumer products. It is the most commonly used plastic in food packaging because it is strong yet lightweight, non-reactive, economical, and shatterproof.

Eg beverages ( Coca cola, Pepsi La casera)

It Is safe to reuse this plastic, but the catch is you must wash it well with hot water and soap so the previously contained liquid does not serve as a contaminant to your water, also if they have been closed for longer is better to just not use. Apart from that wash and refill, it is safe, don’t mind them with their media propaganda they want us to buy more plastics, again am kidding.
N/B since it is can be contaminated easily because of its nature, it is safer to use, reuse for sometime and dispose, you must not go to your grave with it.

HPDE (normally labelled by 2)

HDPE which stands for High-Density Polyethylene is the safest plastic for long term storage of food and water, it is strong, resilient and does not absorb liquid readily, Other uses of HDPE includes : Plastic shopping bags, Trays, Tanks, Food containers (HDPE is approved for contact with food by many food advisory boards), Pipe fittings, Hinges, Cutting boards, Wear plates. So check your food containers.

This plastic is safe, You can reuse them.

PP (normally labelled 5)

PP which stands for Polypropylene plastic   is a white colored or semi-transparent plastic, used as a packing for syrups and yogurt cups, used also to cover most milk tops and some food storage containers, also this is a very safe plastic it is not known to cause any harm. They are safe to reuse.

4 Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

Some bread and frozen food bags and squeezable bottles, are made from this plastic but we don't normally reuse this plastic so i wont dwell on it. But it is safe.

But the rest of the plastic family are harmful please avoid them anyone labeled 3,6 are not good for food related packaging, and anyone you see labelled other or no 7 is even worse than the rest.
 Don't be forming tush and cause something else for yourself because life no get duplicate

look underneath each plastic container to know the type of plastic it is.