Have you ever been comparing eco-friendly products and come across "food grade polyethylene" in the list of materials? It sounds like plastic (because it is), and that immediately sets off alarm bells about chemicals and environmental impact.
Yes - food grade polyethylene is a type of plastic known for its (relative) purity. But is it really safe?
In my years of testing sustainable and non-toxic products, I've gone into a lot of depth researching the materials they contain, and their impacts on the environment and our health.
Keep reading, because I'm about to lift the lid on whether polyethylene is really safe for food storage, and in many other products in your home...
Contents
Food grade polyethylene is a material that can be used in various applications. Its most common uses are food packaging and storage, baby products, medical supplies, and kitchenware. I've also found it in other items that require waterproofing such as mattress protectors.
However, the terms "food grade" and "food safe" both frequently appear (interchangeably and sometimes incorrectly) so it's important to understand the difference.
When we refer to a material as "food grade," we mean that it's suitable for direct contact with food and beverages.
Regulatory agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set guidelines that these materials must meet. These Packaging & Food Contact Substances (FCS) guidelines often focus on the absence of harmful substances in the material and its ability to be effectively cleaned.
In order to be FDA compliant, a food-grade material should have a smooth surface devoid of imperfections like cracks or crevices where bacteria could potentially grow.
The term "food safe" takes the discussion a step further by focusing on the finished product made from food-grade material. A product is considered food safe if it's appropriate for its specific intended use without posing a risk to food safety.
This involves various factors, such as the temperature at which the product will be used, its cleanability, and the duration it will be in contact with food.
Let's address the elephant in the room: polyethylene is a plastic. Given the general concerns about plastics, it's natural to question their safety.
Food-grade plastics are considered by the FDA to be non-toxic and don't require additional chemical additives like some other plastics.
However, it is ONLY safe when used in the way it was intended. For example, if a plastic is not stated as being dishwasher or microwave safe, then it may become unsafe and leach chemicals if exposed to the extreme heat of these environments.
Polyethylene and polyurethane sound similar and people often confuse them. But that is not a trap you should fall into.
Polyethylene is simpler in structure and generally considered safer, especially in food contact applications. But polyurethane is not used for food contact. It's often used in foams (including synthetic memory foam and furniture filler) and requires additional chemicals to meet flammability standards.
Polyethylene comes in various forms, each with its own set of characteristics, common uses, and environmental implications.
Let's face it, no synthetic plastic can be described as being eco-friendly. But some are worse than others.
To evaluate the eco-friendliness of food grade polyethylene, we need to consider how the material is produced, its disposal options, and the availability of more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Polyethylene is derived from petrochemicals, specifically from the polymerization of ethylene gas. The production process involves extracting crude oil or natural gas, refining it, and then subjecting it to chemical reactions to create the polymer.
While the production of polyethylene is less energy-intensive compared to some other plastics, it still relies on non-renewable resources and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
One of the significant downsides of any plastic is that it's not biodegradable, meaning it won't naturally break down over time. This poses a problem for landfills and contributes to our massive global ocean pollution problem.
However, polyethylene is at least recyclable under certain conditions. Some types, including HDPE and LDPE, are commonly accepted in recycling programs, but the recycling rates are not as high as one would hope.
When it comes to alternatives, much depends on what the plastic was being used for.
Materials like natural fibers (cotton, wool), bioplastics, and even glass may be considered in some use cases. However, each of these has its own set of challenges. Natural fibers, for instance, may not offer the same level of waterproofing and can be more difficult to clean.
Bioplastics are still in a developmental stage and may not offer the same performance characteristics. Glass is heavy and breakable, making it less suitable for some applications.
Given the limitations of alternative materials, many brands continue to use food grade polyethylene, especially for applications requiring durability, moisture resistance, and ease of cleaning. However, ongoing research aims to find more sustainable options that don't compromise on these essential features.
Some brands, such as Naturepedic, use this material as a waterproofing layer in some organic crib mattresses.
It's also used in lightweight crib mattress cores, and full-size mattress protectors which also need water resistance.
But some people are concerned to see plastic layers in a supposedly organic and non-toxic sleep product.
Because it is an FDA-approved material for food storage, it is considered safe for use in your sleep environment, and will not off-gas like other synthetic materials do.
It's worth pointing out that these products often come with certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), GreenGuard, and Made Safe, which indicates they have been tested for harmful chemicals and found to be safe.
On the plus side, it's easy to clean, resists moisture, and is durable. But on the downside, it's not biodegradable and its recyclability is limited, making it less than ideal from an environmental standpoint.
If you decide to use products made from food-grade or food-safe plastic, it's crucial to follow some safety guidelines to minimize potential risks.
Always use the product as intended by the manufacturer. For example, if a polyethylene container is labeled for cold storage, don't use it to store hot liquids. Misuse can lead to the breakdown of the material and the potential leaching of chemicals.
Damaged or scratched polyethylene containers can become more permeable, allowing chemicals to leach into the food or liquid they contain. While food-grade polyethylene is designed to be non-toxic, the integrity of the material can be compromised if it's damaged.
While food-grade polyethylene is generally considered safe and non-toxic, it's worth noting that no plastic is entirely inert. In damaged or extremely old polyethylene products, there's a potential for the leaching of chemicals like nonylphenol, which can act as endocrine disruptors. However, the risk is generally considered to be low, especially when the material is used as intended.
Chemical leaching is a concern because certain chemicals can act as endocrine disruptors, affecting hormonal balance in both humans and animals. While the risk associated with food-grade polyethylene is low, it's still a point of consideration, especially for those who are particularly vulnerable, such as infants.
Food grade polyethylene offers several advantages, particularly in terms of safety and utility. However, its environmental impact cannot be ignored.
If you're looking for a material that aligns perfectly with eco-friendly values, you may want to explore other options like natural fibers. But bear in mind these may not always do as good a job, particularly when it comes to waterproofing.
I personally take all reasonable steps to avoid plastic containers and all other synthetic materials in any type of product. However, at the current time, we need to accept that there are some circumstances where this is not possible.
Having confirmed that a material is safe, we then need to do our best to ensure it is at least recycled when it reaches the end of its life.
