What You Need to Know About Food-Grade Plastic Materials? (Part IV)

There are stories in every cup, and warmth in everyday life. Hello everyone, "Dong Dong's Cup Talk" is here! Recently, I came across some official media discussing the health and food safety concerns related to the plastic materials used in disposable plastic meal boxes and cups. https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10475.htmlI thought this would be a great opportunity to dive deep into the food-grade plastic materials we use in our factory's daily production.

To ensure you trust that this content isn’t just made up, I’ve invited Engineer Li, who has worked for many years at an internationally renowned quality inspection agency, https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10475.htmlto share his insights. Most of the international safety inspections for the plastic products our factory produces are handled by Engineer Li’s company.

Hello, I’m Engineer Li, though most people prefer to call me Li. I’ve been working in plastic material quality inspection for over 15 years. My daily job involves handling various plastic materials used to produce items that come into contact with food—from baby bottles to lunch boxes, and from water cups to disposable utensils. https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10475.htmlAs frontline inspectors, we analyze these products inside and out. I’m also a mother, and because I work with plastics every day, I’m extra cautious when choosing daily-use items for my child and family. Today, I’d like to take this opportunity to have a thorough chat about the plastic products we use every day.

PS (Polystyrene) — “A Major Contributor to White Pollution”

Characteristics:

It is divided into two types—foamed (Styrofoam) and non-foamed. https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10475.htmlIt is lightweight and offers good thermal insulation.

Drawbacks:

It has poor heat resistance. When exposed to high temperatures (above 70–90°C), it can deform and potentially release styrene monomers, https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10475.htmla substance classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans).

Commonly found in:

Disposable foam meal boxes, instant noodle bowls, and plastic cup lids. https://www.zhanyict.com/en/ProductsDetail-VB-10475.htmlMany countries and regions have restricted or banned the use of foamed PS products.