April 16, 2012 at 1:20 PM
A few weeks ago, we discussed the various types of food grade plastic buckets. These are buckets that allow you to store food like grains and dried beans in large amounts and in a lightweight manner. People use this as an opportunity to buy in bulk and protect it in an insect-proof and airtight container.
So how can you tell if the plastic bucket you’re using is safe for storing food? Use the following methods to identify whether they are food grade.
On the bottom of the bucket, there should be a recycling symbol, which also contains a recycling number between 1 and 7. This number will be stamped between a triangle of arrows. Generally speaking, the numbers that denote food grade standards are 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Those displaying a number 2 are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This is arguably the best type of plastic for use in long-term food storage as it is one of the most stable and inert forms of plastic. You should be assured that all plastic buckets sold specifically for storing food will probably be made from HDPE.
Those that display the numbers 1, 4, and 5 are alternative types of food grade plastic: PETE, LDPE, and polypropylene (PP) respectively.
There is however an exception to the rule, which is bio-plastics, and these are denoted by the all-encompassing number 7 category. Bio-plastics are similar to normal plastics but are in fact synthesized from plant-based material such as corn. These ‘plastics’ are non-reactive and can therefore be used for storing food. (IMPORTANT- not all plastics marked with a 7 are bio-plastics.
Check for any food-handling symbols that may be printed on the plastic bucket. A standardized system of symbols is applied, indicating whether they are OK to use around food"
- the symbol of a cup and fork means that the plastic container is suitable for storing food i.e. a food grade bucket,
- a symbol showing radiating waves means that the container is microwave-safe,
- a symbol that shows some dishes in water in turn means that the food grade plastic container is dishwasher-safe,
- a snowflake means that the plastic container is fine for freezing foods in.
Another suitable precaution, when buying new, is to check the label on the plastic buckets as these should indicate if the plastic is food grade. In fact, if the bucket you’re purchasing is more expensive than a standard bucket, this is indicative of food grade plastic and it should be marked accordingly. Obviously buying straight from H&O Plastics will ensure that food grade buckets are supplied as specified in the order.
If you’re not buying new, it’s safer to use buckets that have already been used for storing food in. This would usually indicate that the plastic bucket was initially designed as a food container and it’s reasonable to assume that it still will be.
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FAQs
Check out the bucket's universal recycling symbol; this relates to what type of plastic the bucket is made of. You should see the classic recycling symbol with a number inside of it. Generally, food grade plastics will be labeled with either 1, 2, 4, or 5.
How can you tell if a plastic bucket is food grade? ›
Check out the bucket's universal recycling symbol; this relates to what type of plastic the bucket is made of. You should see the classic recycling symbol with a number inside of it. Generally, food grade plastics will be labeled with either 1, 2, 4, or 5.
Are all plastic 5 gallon buckets food grade? ›
Can You Store Food in Regular Buckets? Just because you can, doesn't mean that you should—many 5 gallon buckets are made out of food grade plastics, but not all of them. If the bucket that you want to store food in doesn't have the proper code on it, then you should not store food in it.
What is the code for food grade buckets? ›
Generally speaking, the numbers that denote food grade standards are 1, 2, 4, and 5. Those displaying a number 2 are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This is arguably the best type of plastic for use in long-term food storage as it is one of the most stable and inert forms of plastic.
What is the food safe container symbol? ›
The international symbol for "food safe" material is a wine glass and a fork symbol. The symbol indicates that the material used in the product is considered safe for food contact.
Are hardware store buckets food grade? ›
Home Depot Homer buckets are great for holding lots of things, but they're not food-grade. Yes, these buckets are made from HDPE (high density polyethylene) and have a #2 recycling symbol. Yes, HDPE is used in food-grade products. But that doesn't make these buckets food-grade.
What's the difference between a food grade bucket and a regular bucket? ›
Food grade buckets are manufactured with release agents that are safe and non-toxic. Regular buckets may be manufactured with release agents that leave toxic residue that, while safe for incidental contact, is not safe for storing food.
How do I know if my plastic 55 gallon drum is food grade? ›
The RIC is a number used to identify the type of resin used in the manufacture of the plastic. Foodstuffs are shipped most often in barrels with RIC codes of #2, #4 and #5. The HDPE, from which food grade barrels are made, is assigned the former.
Is number 5 plastic food grade? ›
PP — Polypropylene is noted as the number 5 on the triangle code. This plastic is tough and may be stiff or flexible. Yogurt containers, margarine tubs and medicine bottles are examples of food grade containers made from this plastic.
What is the code for plastic bucket? ›
Seair is proficient in interpreting HS code 5201 for plastic bucket products and assisting you through the complexity of customs guidelines.
Plastic containers come with a food-grade rating on the bottom that ranges from 1 to 7. This gives consumers an idea of how safe they are for storing their food. Plastic grades 2, 4, and 5 are the safest for food storage. Using these plastics to store food will prevent accidental toxin ingestion.
What is the 5 symbol on plastic containers? ›
5: PP (Polypropylene)
PP is used to make the food containers used for products like yogurt, sour cream and margarine. It's also made into straws, rope, carpet and bottle caps. PP products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.
What does this symbol on a plastic container mean? ›
Almost all plastic products bear the general recycling symbol: a triangle formed by three circling arrows. The number in the triangle indicates the type of plastic. There are six common types of plastic and one miscellaneous category with the number 7.
What is the difference between food grade plastic and regular plastic? ›
What makes a food grade plastic? Food grade plastics are specifically manufactured to meet certain standards of purity, which means they're made without the use of dyes or any recycled materials that could pose a risk to human health.
How do you test for plastic in food? ›
The most efficient way to improve the detection of plastic contaminants is to use X-ray visible plastic in the food production environment.
