Food-grade plastic and ordinary plastic have significant differences in material safety, composition, use and production standards. Here is a detailed comparison:
Safety and chemical composition:
Food-grade plastic:
No harmful ingredients: Food-grade plastics are strictly tested to ensure that they will not release harmful chemicals such as BPA (bisphenol A) or BPS (bisphenol S) when in contact with food or drinks. These materials meet safety standards and will not have a negative impact on human health.
Stability: Food-grade plastics are chemically stable in high temperature, acidic or alkaline environments and will not decompose or release harmful substances.
Ordinary plastics:
May contain harmful ingredients: Ordinary plastics may contain additives or plasticizers that have not been strictly tested, such as BPA, phthalates, etc., which may affect human health if they come into contact with food for a long time.
Low chemical stability: Ordinary plastics may release harmful chemicals when exposed to high temperatures or oils, posing a risk of food contamination.
Usage:
Food-grade plastics:
Specially for food contact: Widely used in the manufacture of food containers, milk bottles, tableware, plastic wrap, beverage bottles, etc. The design takes into account contact with food to ensure that food will not be contaminated during use.
Ordinary plastics:
Multi-purpose: used to make non-food contact products such as toys, packaging materials, and building materials. These plastics may not meet food safety standards and cannot guarantee safety under food contact.
Production and regulatory standards:
Food-grade plastics:
Strictly regulated: subject to strict supervision and testing, and must meet international or national standards for food contact materials, such as US FDA certification, EU EN standards, China GB 4806.1-2016, etc.
Production environment: During the production process, food-grade plastics require a pollution-free environment to avoid contamination by harmful substances during production, processing, and transportation.
Ordinary plastics:
Less supervision: There are no food contact safety standards that must be met, and the production process does not need to meet the food grade purity and pollution-free requirements.
Wider scope of application: used in various industrial and household items, with lower safety standards.
Usage scenarios:
Food-grade plastics:
Suitable for direct contact with food: including use as baby bottles, food storage containers, and tableware. Can maintain safety at high temperatures such as microwave heating or steam sterilization.
Ordinary plastics:
Not suitable for food contact: may contain unsafe chemical ingredients, which may release harmful substances when in contact with hot food or beverages. Only suitable for non-food purposes, such as toys, furniture and industrial products.
Labeling and identification:
Food-grade plastics are usually marked with "food grade" or related certification marks on the packaging or products, such as "5" (for polypropylene PP) or "7" (for specific BPA-free plastics) in the "triangle" mark.
Ordinary plastics may not have these marks or certifications, making it difficult for consumers to determine whether they are suitable for food contact.
Summary:
Food-grade plastics are superior to ordinary plastics in safety, stability, use and production standards. They are designed for food contact and meet strict health and safety standards. Ordinary plastics are suitable for other uses, but should not be used for direct contact with food, especially in high temperature or acidic environments. When choosing food-grade plastics, you should check the certification marks and product labels to ensure that they meet food safety standards.
