Is ABS Plastic Safe for Cooking and Storage Food?
The beginning of the fall season is an amazing time. Labor Day celebrations give us a lot of precision moments. Most importantly, the summer heat is slackening, pleasing people with moderately warm, sunny days. Returning to school, your kids will take healthy food along. Top-quality, lightweight containers are necessary. Is ABS plastic food safe? I guess, it’s better than most of the other plastics we use. It’s tough and durable, enabling efficient, long-time use. Children like pleasant, bright colors. Besides, smooth shiny surfaces make your handy containers look attractive. Are you going to buy them? You are to be sure, they are non-toxic and healthy. Are they really safe? Let’s investigate the question.
Weather and Seasonal Concerns
Are you sick and tired of the scorching summer heat? September gives you a slight relief. In Missouri, it’s still a moderately hot month. Reaching 80 degrees, the weather is comfortable. It makes you think about the relaxation and twisted outdoor activities. Are you going to celebrate Labor Day?
If the authorities allow the festivities, it should be unbelievable. During this long weekend, you can:
- take a river cruise;
- enjoy a jazz concert in Frontier Park;
- visit a Water Park;
- go swimming, boating or fishing.
You certainly won’t do without the annual parades and picnics. How will you pack your delicious food? Lightweight, compact bags and containers are opportune. Your favorite bento box for kids is to meet much higher requirements. In Saint Louis, the first school day is on the 24th of August.
Starting with stiffing heat, it might be exhausting. But the heat shouldn’t affect freshness and taste of your delicious food. Health concerns are to be on the front burner. So, let’s think carefully about the quality of the boxes and containers we commonly use.
Which Materials Suit Food Storage Applications?
All your food packing and containers are to be safe and eco-friendly. Quite naturally, the uses and occasions matter. During a barbeque, you may prefer using disposable cups and dishes. At least, up to 220 million Americans did it last year. It’s harmful and wasteful, but handy. If you use them occasionally, for cold snacks only, no big deal.
Delivering bread from your local grocery store in a paper sack is healthy. If you consume and repack it the same day, it doesn’t dry out. Your indoor food storage needs are a bit different. What about your cool flour storage container? They may consist of glass or plastic.
Anyway, these handy, nice-looking vessels are to be:
- durable;
- easy to use and clean;
- transparent;
- air-tight.
The lightweight design of plastic and smooth surface of glass are optional. ABS plastic encompasses both benefits. It’s strong and hard. Is ABS safe to use by your little ones? It depends.
Advantages and Disadvantages of ABS Plastic
It’s one of the most popular materials. Besides, it’s known for its outstanding impact, chemical and abrasion resistance. ABS is available since the 1940s. Many authors refer to this thermoplastic polymer as “resin”. Like most plastics, it’s a kind of petroleum or oil-based product.
You know the best way to store flour and sugar is in a dry, cool place. Transparent containers are preferable, letting you check the content. Besides, ABS lids are beneficial: they are opaque but reliable and leak-proof. In comparison with other polymers, thermoplastic shows outstanding mechanical properties.
Therefore, manufacturers widely use it to mold various products, like:
- automotive parts;
- computer parts like keyboards;
- construction toys like Lego;
- wall sockets;
- small home appliances;
- protective helmets.
Is ABS plastic safe for drinking water? It’s not harmful. In comparison with PVC, ABS material is stronger. It doesn’t break down and doesn’t leach anything to your water or liquid food. ABS is a bit less flexible, but it’s also safe and stable.
Is ABS Plastic BPA Free?
Don’t you find the substance in the list of food-safe materials? FDA recommends some of them for continuous food contact. The safest choices include PET, HDPE, LDPE and polypropylene. What about ABS plastic? It hides under number 7, referring to “the others”.
Thus, ABS food storage products are:
- durable;
- easy-to-clean;
- moisture-resistant;
- long-lasting but lightweight.
Your stylish bent boxes can contain some ABS parts and enclosures. Is it safe for your tiny tots to take their healthy lunches along? I guess partitioned containers of this kind deserve your attention. They are leak-proof and attractive, coming with several handy compartments.
As to the BPA content, it depends. Top-quality products shouldn’t contain it: manufacturers commonly label them as safe. Detailed instructions might be also available. Nevertheless, try to avoid outdoor and high-heat applications.
Is ABS Plastic Non Toxic?
Commonly, engineers widely use thermoplastic for various electrical and construction applications. ABS fittings become irreplaceable parts of vent, drainage and waste pipe systems. Do your kid’s toys consist of ABS thermoplastic? They are relatively non-toxic.
It’s stable, containing and leaching no harmful carcinogens. ABS plastic stands out by excellent resistance to:
- abrasion and physical impacts;
- acids and alkali;
- stains and scratches;
- electrical current;
- corrosive chemicals.
Is it safe to freeze food in plastic containers? When it goes about ABS, it remains hard even at low temperatures. If they are higher than -4ºF, frost doesn’t make them brittle. Unfortunately, some limitations exist. As a study shows, ABS doesn’t stand UV exposure and weathering well.
Direct sunlight may damage the surface, causing discoloration. So, I wouldn’t use the boxes consisting of ABS plastics outdoors. Poor resistance to alcohol is revealing. It doesn’t let you have your favorite drinks from ABS cups. A considerably low melting point may become decisive.
Is ABS Plastic Toxic When Heated?
The resin seems to be safe and non-toxic. In normal conditions, it doesn’t leach any harmful chemicals. But, during production, the substance may be dangerous to workers. When the temperatures reach 750 degrees, ABS polymer decomposes. In vapor form, it becomes possibly carcinogenic.
What about household use? ABS is an amorphous substance. It means it has no definite melting point. At a temperature of about 220 degrees, it becomes liquid. Upon the glass transition process, your durable containers would become brittle. What is the limit?
When the temperatures don’t exceed 176 degrees, ABS products remain tough. Look around. They might be available in your kitchen, including:
- mixing and salad bowls;
- dishes;
- cutlery;
- cups.
You can use them easily indoors, for cold dishes and snacks. ABS food grade plastic means it’s safe in use. Top-quality goods shouldn’t contain any harmful additives, like phthalates, plasticizers or bisphenols. They don’t deteriorate or scratch easily.
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Bottom Line
Kitchen products that consist of ABS are durable and stylish. They stand out by a bright, shiny look and smooth surfaces. Will your kids feel free to reheat food in them? In a microwave oven, internal food temperature may reach 165 degrees. It would damage the durable ABS product, releasing no toxic gases. Short-time, low-heat microwaving is still possible.
Do manufacturers advise you to reheat meals in containers with the lids open? These handy accessories might consist of ABS plastic or so. What about the dishwashing? I guess a delicate or rinse cycle, with temperatures not exceeding 113-122 degrees is safe. So, choose top-quality, branded products, making sure they are completely safe and non-toxic.
