How to use foam boxes to avoid toxic substances from entering food

NDO - Although it is a safe material, foam boxes still pose a risk to consumers' health due to lead and cadmium contamination from impure raw materials used to produce the boxes and styrene and ethylbenzene contamination due to improper use of foam boxes.

On April 24, the Department of Food Safety, Ministry of Health issued Guidelines on ensuring food safety in the use of foam boxes to contain and preserve food.

According to the Food Safety Department, foam boxes are made from polystyrene (PS) with air accounting for 95% and PS accounting for only 5%, so they are very light. Foam boxes for storing and preserving food are widely used around the world .

Although it is a safe material, there is a risk of affecting consumer health due to lead and cadmium contamination from impure raw materials used to produce boxes and styrene and ethylbenzene contamination due to improper use of foam boxes in food storage and preservation.

Accordingly, to ensure food safety in using foam boxes to contain and preserve food, the Food Safety Department notes:

For users

Only use foam boxes to contain and preserve food of clear origin, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.

Use foam boxes to store and preserve food according to the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. Foam boxes made from PS are only used to store and preserve food with temperatures below 70 degrees Celsius.

Styrofoam food containers should only be used once and temporarily; do not use foam containers to store and preserve food for long periods of time.

Do not use foam boxes to store hot foods, drinks, greasy foods, or boiling water.

Do not use styrofoam boxes to store sour foods, drinks (pickles, vinegar salad, lemonade, lemon tea...) or grease or cooking oil.

Do not use a microwave to heat food contained in styrofoam containers.

For manufacturers and businesses

Ensure full compliance with regulations on safety conditions for foam food containers and other food packaging and storage tools and materials as prescribed in Article 18 of the Law on Food Safety.

Do not use recycled materials to produce foam food containers. Do not use unauthorized additives in the production of foam food containers.

There are specific instructions on usage conditions (limits on temperature, oil, grease, acidity, alkalinity...) according to product requirements.

Comply with technical and management requirements on hygiene and safety for synthetic plastic packaging and utensils in direct contact with food as prescribed in the National Technical Regulation on hygiene and safety for synthetic plastic packaging and utensils in direct contact with food of the Ministry of Health (QCVN 12-1:2011/BYT).

Violations of regulations on production, trading, use of tools, packaging materials, and containers in direct contact with food will be handled according to the provisions of Decree No. 115/2018/ND-CP dated September 4, 2018 of the Government regulating administrative sanctions for violations of food safety, Decree No. 124/2021/ND-CP dated December 28, 2021 of the Government amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 115/2018/ND-CP dated September 4, 2018 of the Government regulating administrative sanctions for violations of food safety and Decree No. 117/2020/ND-CP dated September 28, 2020 of the Government regulating administrative sanctions for violations in the health sector.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/cach-dung-hop-xop-de-tranh-thoi-nhiem-chat-doc-hai-vao-thuc-an-post874921.html