Plastic Resin Food Safety Guide
Identify which plastic types are food-safe for your packaging. Look up resin codes, FDA approval status, temperature limits, and recycling info.
Quick Lookup by Resin Code
PETE: Polyethylene Terephthalate
Service temp: -40°F to 120°F
Common Uses
- •Water bottles
- •Soda bottles
- •Peanut butter jars
- •Salad dressing containers
- •Cooking oil bottles
Properties
- Clear and transparent
- Lightweight yet strong
- Good moisture barrier
- Recyclable (#1)
Cautions
- Not recommended for repeated use
- Can leach antimony at high temperatures
- Single-use preferred
HDPE: High-Density Polyethylene
Service temp: -148°F to 176°F
Common Uses
- •Milk jugs
- •Juice containers
- •Cereal box liners
- •Grocery bags
- •Butter tubs
- •Detergent bottles
Properties
- Opaque or translucent
- Stiff and strong
- Excellent chemical resistance
- Good moisture barrier
- Recyclable (#2)
Cautions
- Generally considered very safe
- Low risk of leaching
PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride
Service temp: -4°F to 140°F
Common Uses
- •Cling wrap (some types)
- •Blister packs
- •Cooking oil bottles (some)
- •Plumbing pipes
- •Window frames
Properties
- Flexible or rigid forms
- Resistant to chemicals
- Durable
- Rarely recycled (#3)
Cautions
- Contains phthalates (plasticizers)
- Can leach chlorine and dioxins
- NOT recommended for food contact
- Avoid heating
LDPE: Low-Density Polyethylene
Service temp: -58°F to 176°F
Common Uses
- •Bread bags
- •Squeezable bottles
- •Frozen food bags
- •Flexible container lids
- •Produce bags
Properties
- Flexible and soft
- Transparent to translucent
- Good moisture barrier
- Chemically resistant
- Recyclable (#4)
Cautions
- Generally considered safe
- Low risk of leaching
- Not for high-heat applications
PP: Polypropylene
Service temp: -4°F to 275°F
Common Uses
- •Yogurt cups
- •Deli containers
- •Syrup bottles
- •Ketchup bottles
- •Medicine bottles
- •Microwave containers
- •Bottle caps
Properties
- Heat resistant
- Semi-transparent
- Strong and durable
- Microwave safe
- Good chemical resistance
- Recyclable (#5)
Cautions
- Considered one of the safest plastics
- Withstands microwave and dishwasher temperatures
PS: Polystyrene
Service temp: -4°F to 170°F
Common Uses
- •Styrofoam cups
- •Takeout containers
- •Egg cartons
- •Disposable plates/cutlery
- •Packing peanuts
Properties
- Lightweight
- Insulating
- Can be rigid or foam
- Brittle
- Rarely recycled (#6)
Cautions
- Can leach styrene (possible carcinogen)
- Avoid hot foods and liquids
- NOT recommended for food reheating
- Being banned in many jurisdictions
OTHER: Other (BPA, Polycarbonate, PLA, etc.)
Temperature range varies by specific resin
Common Uses
- •Baby bottles (older)
- •Water cooler jugs
- •3/5-gallon reusable water bottles
- •Nylon food packaging
- •Compostable PLA containers
Properties
- Catch-all category
- Includes many different plastics
- Properties vary widely
Cautions
- May contain BPA (bisphenol A)
- Verify specific resin type before food use
- PLA (plant-based) is generally safe
- Polycarbonate should be avoided for food
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Code | Resin | Food Safe | FDA | Max Temp | Recyclable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 PETE | Polyethylene Terephthalate | Yes | Yes | 120°F | Yes |
| #2 HDPE | High-Density Polyethylene | Yes | Yes | 176°F | Yes |
| #3 PVC | Polyvinyl Chloride | No | No | 140°F | Rarely |
| #4 LDPE | Low-Density Polyethylene | Yes | Yes | 176°F | Limited |
| #5 PP | Polypropylene | Yes | Yes | 275°F | Yes |
| #6 PS | Polystyrene | No | No | 170°F | Rarely |
| #7 OTHER | Other (BPA, Polycarbonate, PLA, etc.) | Varies | Varies | Varies | Rarely |
Packaging Safety Tips
Prefer #1, #2, #4, #5
These resins are FDA-approved for food contact and have the lowest leaching risk.
Avoid #3 (PVC) and #6 (PS)
Both can leach harmful chemicals, especially when heated. Not recommended for food packaging.
Check #7 carefully
This catch-all category includes both safe (PLA) and unsafe (BPA polycarbonate) plastics.
Mind the temperature
Each resin has a max service temperature. Exceeding it increases leaching risk significantly.
FDA vs. food-safe
FDA approval means the resin CAN be used for food. The specific product must also be manufactured to food-grade standards.
Single-use caution
Some food-safe plastics (#1 PETE) are designed for single use. Repeated use may degrade the material.