Reusing plastic packaging is harmful

Packaging materials play an important role in keeping food fresh, ensuring its safety and extending its shelf life to reduce loss and waste.

Some reuse of plastic food packaging seems practical at first glance. Garden-harvested herbs to be frozen fit perfectly in a butter box. Empty ice cube molds can be filled with soap residue.

But this can be harmful to health, according to consumer health experts. This is because most plastic food packaging boxes are single-use, which means they are used for a specific food and for a specific purpose.

The Bavarian Center for Consumer Consultation in Germany notes that if the packing box is used for something else, one exposes himself to the risk of contaminating his food with substances found in plastic.

Studies in recent years have shown that traces of plastic can be found in human feces after eating some products packaged in plastic, while human internal organs are contaminated with microplastics.

And of course the ice cube tray can be refilled with other content, because that's what it was made for. But the rest of the hot soup doesn't belong here and should not be reheated in the microwave as this can release unwanted ingredients in the food. For the same reasons, single-use plastic is not intended to be put in the dishwasher and exposed to high temperatures.

Similarly, canned food that is not designed for freezing must not be frozen, but must be removed from its packaging and placed in a freezer bag. Containers made of glass or porcelain that can be frozen or heated in the microwave are best for food storage. For polypropylene cans, find the appropriate diagram.

Caution is also required when using aluminum foil, aluminum is not a problem in purchased cans because it is covered, but using aluminum foil from a kitchen turntable can be dangerous. Contact of acidic or salty foods with other metals can cause components of aluminum foil to break down and pass into the food.

Whether the packaging is made of glass, plastic, metal, paper or bamboo, it plays an important role in keeping food fresh, ensuring its safety and extending its shelf life to reduce loss and waste. For primary packaging materials, that is, those in direct contact with food, plastic is commonly used due to its light weight, flexibility and low value compared to others.