Warning of lead contamination when using foam boxes of unknown origin to store food

According to the Ministry of Health, although foam boxes are safe materials, they 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.

The Department of Food Safety, Ministry of Health has just issued guidelines to ensure 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 consumers' 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 that only foam boxes to contain and preserve food with clear origin should be used, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.

Using foam boxes of unknown origin to store food is widespread.

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 Styrofoam containers to store and preserve food for long periods of time. Do not use Styrofoam containers to store hot foods, drinks, greasy foods, or boiling water.

Do not use Styrofoam containers to store acidic foods, drinks (pickles, vinegar salads, lemonade, lemon tea, etc.) or fats or cooking oils. In particular, do not use a microwave to heat food stored in Styrofoam containers.

For manufacturers and traders, the Food Safety Department requires that they fully comply with regulations on safety conditions for foam boxes containing food and other food packaging and storage tools and materials as prescribed in Article 18 of the Food Safety Law.

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 .

The Food Safety Department warns that violations of regulations on production, trading, and use of tools, packaging materials, and containers that come into direct contact with food will be strictly handled.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/y-te/canh-bao-nhiem-chi-khi-dung-hop-xop-khong-ro-nguon-goc-dung-thuc-pham--i766224/