Plastics usage debated in M'sia
What do you think about using plastics?
Plastic makers insist food and water containers safe for reuse
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Tuesday July 17, 2007
Plastic makers insist food and water containers safe for reuse
By AUDREY EDWARDS
PETALING JAYA: Just last week, the Health Ministry advised Malaysians not to reuse plastic food and water containers. Yesterday, the Malaysian Plastics Forum (MPF) insisted that packaging and containers made from plastic and polystyrene are safe to use or for reuse.
Its president Lim Kok Boon said that this was because the raw ingredients used to make the finished products complied with international standards such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
He said that the resin products were approved substances for the manufacturing of food containers and packaging material.
Malaysian Plastics Forum chairman Lim Kok Boon
He said it was used in making items such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, adding that hygienic practices applied to the products, regardless of whether they were made of plastic, steel or glass.
The MPF is made up of the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association, the Malaysian Petrochemicals Association and the Plastics Resins Producers Group.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek had advised consumers last week not to reuse plastic food and water containers because their quality was “questionable” and Malaysians were at risk of being exposed to chemicals that might have seeped into the food or liquid.
Dr Chua’s statement was based on a study that the ministry had commissioned Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Medicine to carry out.
The study showed that in 45 of the 47 containers examined, at least one chemical was detected. However, the level of the leachate detected was low and the scope was to analyse chemicals in plastic and polystyrene food containers.
Lim said that based on scientific evidence, the FDA had determined that PET was safe for use as beverage bottles and other food packaging applications – for single and repeated use.
When asked how often the resin product manufacturers sent samples for testing to the FDA, Lim conceded that he did not know but stressed that because they were large multinational corporations, they would adhere to the necessary standards.
He said members could on a voluntary basis send their finished products for testing at Sirim Bhd.
In the case of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic bags used for packing hot and cold beverages, Lim said the FDA had allowed their use based on data from years of research and testing, and they complied with the Malaysian Food Act 1983 and Malaysian Food Regulations 1985.
He said expandable polystyrene containers had excellent thermal insulating abilities.
“They keep hot food hot and cold food cold, while you hold the package in comfort,” he said, adding that an additional layer of material was not needed to separate the food and container as it was designed to be safe for use.
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Not safe to use cheap plastics for hot drinks
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Friday July 13, 2007
Not safe to use cheap plastics for hot drinks
By AUDREY EDWARDS
PETALING JAYA: Plastic bags are not meant for storing hot drinks and the practice should “absolutely not be done”, according to a local researcher.
Prof Dr Mustafa Ali Mohamad, deputy dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, said yesterday that this was because such plastic bags were not made to last and placing liquids such as hot coffee or tea would promote chemical seepage from the bag into the drink.
This, he said, could be additionally damaging if the drink contained milk which had fat that could further promote leachate of chemicals.
The heat has greater chance of breaking down the polymer compound of the plastic and fat.
“It is not safe, unless the plastic is made for hot drinks. Most of the time, it is made from cheap material that is not too resistant to heat,” he said.
Dr Mustafa Ali advised the public that, to avoid being exposed to chemicals, they should instead pack their drinks in containers or cups specially made for hot liquids.
On polystyrene containers used to pack hot food like fried mee, he said the heat would damage the material and advised that a layer of paper or banana leaf be used to prevent direct contact.
He added it was advisable not to place hot food or drinks in these containers.
Dr Mustafa Ali headed a recently concluded study, commissioned by the Health Ministry, which detected at least one chemical in 45 of 47 containers examined.
However, the level of the leachate detected was low. The study was to analyse chemicals in plastic and polystyrene containers.
He added that it was not his intention to have plastic banned from being used for such purposes but that the public needs to know of the risk involved.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said yesterday that it was difficult to ensure that food operators change plastic-ware.
However, he said in an interview that it was crucial for consumers not to misuse packaging materials in an “unintended or unanticipated manner”.
He added that commercial plastic packaging that had been used for storing non-food items should never be reused as food containers as it may contain non-food residues that would contaminate the food.
On cling films, he advised the public to use only those designated as suitable for use in microwave ovens.
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Chua: Don’t reuse food and water containers
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Thursday July 12, 2007
Chua: Don’t reuse food and water containers
By AUDREY EDWARDS
KUALA LUMPUR: Do not reuse plastic food and water containers. This is the advice given by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He said this was because the quality of such products was “questionable” and Malaysians were at risk of being exposed to chemicals which might seep into the food or liquid.
“Takeaway plastic food containers used in eating outlets are disposable items and designed for single use only.
They are not intended for repeated storage of food,” he said in an interview with The Star.
Instead, Dr Chua said that people should only use reusable plastic food containers such as cups, plates, bowls, bottles and boxes used in household kitchens for repeated storage of food because these containers have attributes such as sturdiness and thermal stability.
He emphasised that takeaway food containers which were labelled “microwave safe” for reheating should not be reused.
As for mineral water plastic bottles, Dr Chua said it was not advisable to keep on reusing them.
“It is not easy to clean. You can never reach the inside and in the hot Malaysian weather, the stability is questionable,” he said.
His comments were based on a recently concluded study commissioned by the ministry to the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, carried out by Prof Dr Mustafa Ali Mohamad.
The study showed that in 45 of the 47 containers examined, at least one chemical was detected. However, the level of the leachate detected was low.
The scope of the study was to analyse chemicals in plastic polystyrene food containers.
The chemicals analysed were styrene monomer, bisphenol A (BPA), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyle phthalate (BBP), di- 2-ethylexyl adipate (DEHA) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).
The samples included different types of food and water containers and were extracted at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Dr Chua said the level of chemicals was low “but you cannot rule out the small amounts excreted which will accumulate in the body.”
He cited the potential that BBP had in affecting a person’s endocrine function such as the thyroid gland and pancreas. Dr Chua also said it was safe to freeze meat directly in its original commercial plastic wrapping.
For long storage, rewrap or over-wrap the meat tightly with moisture-proof freezer bags to maintain the quality and texture of the meat, he said.
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18-07-2007, 12:40 AM
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