Know Your Plastic

This is the time to remind parents, so that not only ensure the nutritional value of food consumed by children, but also their food storage container. Plastics are one of the best inventions man has ever made. How does it not, this material is hermetic, soft, easy to carry, and durable. But besides helping people, plastic are not environmentally friendly and can be dangerous to health if not select the type of safe use.

Expert said, not all plastics are made, and in all circumstances for safe use. There is a plastic that is safe and the one that is danger. Because plastics are made from chemicals harmful to the body, it is necessary to check if the food container is registered by the official involved that is safe to health. The most dangerous is the black plastic which often used in the market. Plastics of this kind contain chemical substances that are easy to contaminate food in it.

What causes plastic objects as dangerous? Plastic are made of materials called monomer and plasticizer. Both materials are not good for the body. Direct contact between the plastic which is packed with food (especially food liquid or semi-wet) can cause the transfer of chemicals in food to earlier, which is called migration. One of the diseases caused by the accumulation of these substances earlier in the body is cancer.

There are several factors that can trigger the occurrence of migration, among others; Heat. The higher the temperature, the sooner the migration and more and more (ex, hot meatball stored in plastic). Oil. Oil materials can easily dissolved plastic components.

Time. The longer it touches each other (plastic and food), the more components will be transferred. To ensure your children are protected from danger of chemical migration through plastic food container, note the logo that indicates that the plastic is safe to use when in contact with food. That is food safe logo or food grade, which is accompanied with a glass and fork symbol. Note, however, plastic origin, the source is reliable. Because not infrequently also found plastic products also have a false stamp like this.

These are the tips of selecting a safe plastic container:
* Think about the price. If the price is cheap and not reasonable, it should be suspected of bad materials.
* Smell it. If there is a certain aroma, for example, perfumes or artificial perfume smells rancid, it is certainly not perfect in the making process.
* When washed, usually bad plastic products will be much frothy and more difficult to clean. This occurs because the hollow plastic is not completely closed during the making process.
* Be aware when reading the product sign which is safe for food.