Safe means safe!

Some like it hot – but others don’t!

There are all sorts of different kinds of plastic – such as melamine, silicon or polypropylene – each of which is suitable for different uses. So, by the same token, there are some which aren’t suitable for freezing but can be used in the dishwasher. That’s exactly why the labelling requirement is so important.

Which kinds of plastics are normally found in the kitchen? Most flasks are made of PET and most packaging is made of PE. The exact name of the plastic isn’t usually printed or written on the centre of the product. Instead, a triangular symbol with an abbreviation or a number indicates which material has been used. 

• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), no. 1
• High density polyethene (PE-HD), no. 2
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), no. 3
• Low density polyethene (PE-LD), no. 4
• Polypropylene (PP), no. 5
• Polystyrene (PS), no. 6

Symbols on kitchen objects: why are they there?

Consumers must be able to tell whether a plastic food storage container is, say, suitable for use in the microwave and which temperature ranges it can be exposed to. This information must be displayed clearly and legibly, usually appearing in the form of symbols, or more specifically, pictograms (for instance in the form of a dishwasher or a freezer star).

Why is this necessary? Upwards of a certain temperature range, hazardous substances can be released. It is important not to let these harmful substances enter food, or to make sure that only small quantities below the permitted limits are allowed.

Symbols on kitchen objects: what does the recycling code mean?

The thing that initially looks like a rounded triangle consisting of three (often green) arrows, is actually known as the recycling code. It basically has two functions: on the one hand, it ensures that packaging is recycled properly and thus helps recycling companies to correctly classify and utilise the material. On the other hand, the code can also be helpful for consumers who are using food packaging or deciding whether to buy items such as tableware made from plastic. In the middle of the triangle mentioned above, there is a number that indicates the material used for the item or the packaging. Another abbreviation is used to indicate the exact type of material used.

The respective meanings of the plastic recycling codes are provided in this overview (German). Here you can see that the codes 01 to 06 are each assigned to a certain type of plastic. The recycling code 07 “O” stands for “other plastics”.

Among the products that the 07 code refers to are the CLIP & CLOSE food storage containers from EMSA. This is because various plastics are used to make them: PP = polypropylene (05) for the main body of the container and the lid, and TPE = thermoplastic elastomers (07) for the seal – and both of these materials are completely safe.
Even though it is voluntary for the manufacturer to display the recycling code, EMSA uses the recycling code on its products to make sure consumers have all the information they need.

BPA = BP-what???

The “BPA free” label often appears on items or products. But only a very small number of people know what BPA actually means – even the ones who paid attention in chemistry class.

• What is BPA?
  BPA (Bisphenol A) is a chemical compound found in many products made from the plastic known as polycarbonate. In more exact terms, BPA denotes the industrial chemical 2,2-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane. This is used primarily as the original substance for the production of polycarbonate plastics and synthetic resins.
• Where is BPA found?
  BPA may be present in items made from polycarbonate, so it may also be found in such items that come into contact with food. Known examples are flasks or kitchenware. But BPA may also be found in the inner coating of drinks cans and food cans.
• Is BPA dangerous?
  First off: as things stand, there is no conclusive evidence of the harmful effects for BPA on human beings. BPA is not particularly toxic, but it does belong to a group of substances that can work in a way similar to hormones. This means that BPA can have an impact on the development of organisms and facilitate the formation of diseases.
• And how does BPA get into the human body?
  BPA can be released from plastic coatings when the material comes into contact with hot liquids or acids and alkalis, so it makes its way into the body when it is absorbed into the bloodstream via the mucous membranes.

_{Source: German Federal Institute of Risk Assessment}