Criteria for Certification of Microwave Safe Packaging Containers

Hey guys,

i need some advice on "microwavable safe" claims. my company produces soy drinks in PP bottles. recently our colleague mentioned that one of our export partners would like to microwave the bottle to make the soy drink warm. however, we are not too sure about putting a 'microwave safe' claim on the bottle label.

i went online to search for regulations on such claims but i seem to have really vague answers and it seems that PP bottles are ranked as "OK: Hazardous during production, but not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones."

i am wondering whether there is a general guideline /regulation to include the logo / claim as 'microwave safe'.

if not, what is the best way to insert the claim? or should we not insert that claim at all?

thanks in advance

**hope u guys actually understand what im typing >_<

Hey guys,

i need some advice on "microwavable safe" claims. my company produces soy drinks in PP bottles. recently our colleague mentioned that one of our export partners would like to microwave the bottle to make the soy drink warm. however, we are not too sure about putting a 'microwave safe' claim on the bottle label.

i went online to search for regulations on such claims but i seem to have really vague answers and it seems that PP bottles are ranked as "OK: Hazardous during production, but not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones."

i am wondering whether there is a general guideline /regulation to include the logo / claim as 'microwave safe'.

if not, what is the best way to insert the claim? or should we not insert that claim at all?

thanks in advance

**hope u guys actually understand what im typing >_<

Understand you loud and clear Kitleen, let's see if I can be as good.

The most commonly used plastics used for microwaveable food products are PP, APET and CPET. The ‘microwaveable safe’ or ‘suitable for microwaving’ claim relates I think more to the functionality of the container to be used for heating food in a microwave in terms of it will not melt or explode or collapse etc. and perhaps that the food is suitable for microwaving but not that the plastic will not leech any harmful chemicals into the food during the microwaving process.
Anyone else have an idea on this?

Regards,
Simon

Dear kitleen,

Very interesting question although not my direct area. I think migration issues are also relevant after quick Google scan.

Specific recent info seems rather scarce.

The legal situation in USA is summarised here (2009) -

http://www.packaging...com/1803_.shtml
(susceptor type items are particularly discussed here [2007] -
http://www.cfsan.fda...mnc.html#aii11b )

Up to 2005, Australia had no specific standards for microwave - safe packaging (and probably EU also).
eg http://www.foodscien...o.au/migpac.htm

Currently EU ??

For PP specifically, this 2001 link for USA comments below the data -

These regulations are for polymers used as for food contact surfaces. There are no specific requirements for microwave food containers. However, there is guidance on plastic containers in the microwave. The guidance is in the form of the FDA's recommendations on chemistry information required for food contact surfaces. Before a product goes to the market, the FDA recommends that this guidance be used by a company to determine proper migration testing protocol for their food container.

http://www.eng.buffa...owaveReport.htm

It is obvious that the general situation is (like all food -contact packaging issues ) complicated.

Hopefully some plastic bottlers may know more ??

Rgds / Charles.C

added - in 3 months, new book being published on this general topic -
http://www.woodheadp...spx?bookID=1484