Drinkware Wholesale

Are Plastic Cups Safe? Food-grade Plastic Materials Revealed

Plastic cups have become a common drinking tool in daily life because of their lightness, durability and low cost. However, there have always been questions about whether plastic cups are safe and whether long-term use will have an impact on health.

Whether plastic cups are safe depends mainly on their materials. Not all plastics are suitable for holding food or beverages. Only plastics that meet national food-grade safety standards can be used for food container. Common food-grade plastics include PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), etc., which are relatively safe under normal use conditions.

There is also the newly developed Tritan material. It is a new generation of copolyester plastic raw material. Tritan material has obtained US FDA certification, Chinese national standards and industry standards of many countries.

Understand the classification of plastic materials. What do the numbers on the bottom of the plastic cup represent?

There is usually a triangular recycling sign at the bottom of the plastic cup, with numbers 1 to 7 marked inside.

These numbers represent different plastic materials:

No. 1 (PET): Commonly used in mineral water bottles and beverage bottles, with poor heat resistance and not suitable for reuse.

No. 2 (HDPE): Mostly used in milk bottles and shampoo bottles, with strong corrosion resistance.

No. 5 (PP): Resistant to high temperatures (up to 120°C), suitable for microwave heating, commonly used in fresh-keeping boxes and baby bottles.

No. 7 (PC and others): Some may contain bisphenol A (BPA), so choose carefully.

Which plastic material is the safest?

PET (No. 1): Safer for one-time use, but not suitable for hot water or reuse, otherwise it may release trace amounts of harmful substances. Hot water (>70°C) may cause the plastic to soften and release trace amounts of plasticizers (such as antimony).

HDPE (No. 2): It does not contain bisphenol A (BPA) itself, so there is no need to worry about endocrine disruption. However, long-term use of high-temperature liquids (such as boiling water) may cause the material to deform slightly or release trace amounts of low-molecular substances.  However, the risk is much lower than that of materials such as PC).

PP (No. 5): High temperature resistance, good stability, relatively safe food-grade plastic, can be used for a long time. Even if it is filled with acidic juice or cooking oil, it will not release harmful substances. It is also the only plastic that is widely recognized for use in microwave ovens.

PC (No. 7): Some contain BPA (bisphenol A), which may be released at high temperatures and affect the endocrine system. It is recommended to avoid using it in infant products.

Recommended choice: 

No. 5 PP material is the safest. The second is HDPE (No. 2) to avoid holding liquids with high temperatures and corrosive liquids. PET (No. 1) is for one-time use only.

Analysis of food-grade plastic standards

Countries have strict standards for food-grade plastics, such as:

China: GB 4806.7-2016 “National Food Safety Standard Plastic Materials and Products for Food Contact”

United States: FDA certification

European Union: EU 10/2011 Regulation

Look for the “food grade” mark when purchasing, and avoid using non-food grade plastics to hold food or beverages.

The above plastic materials can directly contact food, but pay attention to the usage scenarios. In addition, there are LDPE and PS plastic materials that can be used for cling film, soft packaging, etc.

Will plastic cups release harmful substances at high temperatures?

The safety of plastic cups at high temperatures depends on the material type and temperature threshold.

PET (No. 1): May release trace amounts of plasticizers above 70°C.

PP (No. 5): High temperature resistance up to 120°C, good stability. May release trace amounts of hydrocarbons above 140°C

PC (No. 7): Releases bisphenol A (BPA) above 80°C

Avoid using plastic cups to hold boiling water, try to choose high temperature resistant materials (such as PP), or use glass cups or stainless steel cups instead.

Is there a risk in repeatedly using plastic cups?

Disposable plastic cups: It is recommended to discard after use. Long-term use can easily breed bacteria or release chemicals.

Reusable plastic cups: Can be used for a long time, but care must be taken to clean and disinfect to avoid bacterial residues after scratching.

How to identify safe food-grade plastic cups?

Look at the bottom logo: Tritan, PP No. 5, HDPE No. 2 are preferred.

Smell: Low-quality plastic may have a pungent smell.

Touch the texture: Food-grade plastic is usually smooth and burr-free.

Look for certification: Check whether there are GB 4806.7, FDA and other marks.

Which plastic cups are recyclable?

Recyclable: No. 1 PET, No. 2 HDPE, No. 5 PP (need to be sorted and processed according to local garbage).

Non-recyclable: Some No. 7 plastics (such as PC materials containing BPA).

Environmental protection suggestions: Reduce the use of disposable plastic cups and choose reusable cups.

Tips for using plastic cups correctly to avoid health risks

Avoid high temperatures: Do not use plastic cups to hold boiling water or microwave heating (unless marked as high temperature resistant).

Replace regularly: Replace plastic cups in time when they turn yellow, brittle or scratched.

Clean correctly: Use a soft cloth and neutral detergent to clean to avoid scratches from hard objects.

Use with caution for children: It is recommended to use glass or PP bottles for infants and young children.

Plastic cups vs. glass cups vs. stainless steel cups, which one is healthier?

Plastic cups

  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • Anti-fall and durable
  • Low price
  • Some materials are not resistant to high temperatures
  • Long-term use may release chemicals
  • Easy to leave odors Daily cold water, short-term use, outdoor activities

Glass cups

  • 100% non-toxic and harmless
  • High temperature resistant (can be filled with boiling water)
  • Easy to clean without leaving marks
  • Fragile (need to be stored carefully)
  • Heavy and not portable Home/office drinking water, hot drink brewing, infant use

Stainless steel cup (304/316 grade)

  • Super durability
  • Good heat preservation and cold preservation effect
  • Antibacterial and not easy to breed bacteria
  • Cannothold strong acidic beverages(such as lemon juice, carbonated beverages)
  • Risk of scalding the mouth (strong heat preservation) Heat preservation needs, travel and workplace use

Summary

The safety of plastic cups depends on the material and how they are used. No. 7 tritan plastic cups and No. 5 PP plastic cups are relatively safe choices at present, but glass or stainless steel cups are more recommended for long-term use. When purchasing, look for food grade certification and avoid high temperatures and excessive use to ensure health!

    Contact US Now

    Choose the cups you want, or tell us more about your requirements,  inquiry us for customization here now!