Plastic Food Containers And Issues Arising

Plastic Food Containers And Issues Arising

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Plastic have become almost indispensible in modern society. It has become an essential part of our cars, computers, mobile phones, children’s toys, electronics and practically almost everything we use on a day-to-day basis. It has its advantage of lower cost and lighter weight, but there’s one area where plastic is no longer a preferred choice, which is in packaging and storage of food and drink.

Plastic is made from materials known to be toxic. It is a known fact that these toxins can leach into whatever they come into contact with. When these toxic components that make up plastic are ingested, they damage the body on a cellular level and cause health problems.

Composition of Plastics

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Most plastics contain organic polymers. The vast majority of these polymers are based on chains of carbon atoms alone or with oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen as well. Most plastics contain other organic or inorganic compounds blended in. The amount of additives ranges from zero percentage (for example in polymers used to wrap foods) to more than 50% for certain electronic applications. The average content of additives is 20% by weight of the polymer

Many of the controversies associated with plastics are associated with the additives.  Products made from polycarbonate can contain the precursor monomer bisphenol A (BPA). Polycarbonate is also known by a variety of trademarked names, including Lexan, Makrolon, and others.

Fillers

Fillers improve performance and/or reduce production costs. Stabilizing additives include fire retardants to lower the flammability of the material. Many plastics contain fillers, relatively inert and inexpensive materials that make the product cheaper by weight.

Typically fillers are mineral in origin, e.g., chalk. Some fillers are more chemically active and are called reinforcing agents. Other fillers include zinc oxide, wood flour, ivory dust, cellulose and starch.

Plasticizers

Since many organic polymers are too rigid for particular applications, they are blended with plasticizers (the largest group of additives), oily compounds that confer improved rheology.

Colorants

Colorants are common additives, although their weight contribution is small.

Heating food in plastic containers can cause the material use in the plastic container to leach and mix with the food.  This becomes a source of concern with the knowledge that chemicals in some plastics—namely, bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are harmful to human health.

Leaching may also occur but at a slower rate even if the plastic container is not heated, this can be proved by the fact that plastic containers wear out from the inside with time after several months of use and washing.

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The Endocrine Society, a professional organization for scientists and doctors who specialize in hormones, recently warned that these compounds interact with your hormones in ways that may cause cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

But the Food and Drug Administration has repeatedly reviewed the research on BPA and insisted that it’s safe. Same goes for the European Food Safety Authority.

FDA scientists say that your body quickly breaks down BPA and excretes it in your urine and faeces.

Some Reasons To Avoid Or Minimize The Use of Plastic Containers For Your Food

1. Chemical Components In Plastic Can Make You Sick.

Researches have proved that toxic compounds found in plastic cause health problems ranging from cancer to infertility.

2. Most Plastics Containers are made of Polymers

Even when a plastic product is labeled “BPA-FREE”, there is no guarantee that it is toxin free

3. Plastics Can Cause Fertility and Reproductive Problems.

Most plastics contain toxic materials that have negative effect on immunity and hormone regulation which are capable of affecting reproductive health

4. Chemicals in Plastic Can Lead To Obesity

Research published in Environmental Health Perspectives explains that a chemical widely used in plastics, called bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), may actually cause stem cells to become fat cells. According to one of the study’s authors, “Exposure to these kinds of chemicals can reprogram your metabolism and make it more likely for you to store calories instead of passing them through.”

5. Plastics Are Not Friendly To Our Planet.

Plastics are not bio-degradable, they therefore reduce the quality of the soil when they are not disposed of properly.

Suggestions for Reducing the Intake of Plastics Container’s Toxins.

§  Substitute Plastics with Glass and Stainless Steel whenever possible.

§  Always wash your hands after handling cash register receipts

§  Be careful when selecting Baby toys and pacifiers

§  Check the inside lining of your canned drinks.

§  Replace Your Plastic Food Container often

An over-used plastic bowl