Resin ID Codes

The 5 Types of Food-Grade Plastic approved by the FDA & EPA

Farm Corr is manufactured of Enhanced Polypropylene (EPP), which is a Level 5 Recyclable Plastic. These charts are from Palmetto Industries (www.palmetto-industries.com). This describes how plastic containers come with a “food-grade rating” with a number from 1 to 7. This gives consumers an idea of how safe they are for storing their food. According to Palmetto Industries, Food-Grade Plastic has to meet specific Environmental Protection Association (EPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. Food Grade plastic cannot contain dyes, additives or any harmful ingredients such as BPAs or thalates.

According to this chart, plastic grades 2 (HDPE—High Density Polyethylene), 4 (LDPE—Low Density Polyethylene) and 5 (Polypropylene) are the safest for food storage.

According to food industry experts, Polypropylene, or PP for short is considered the safest plastic for food contact, featuring high heat resistance and the lack of BPA or phthalates.  Both the FDA and the EPA have approved PP for hot food/food handling/food storage and PP is also safe for microwaves and dishwashers.

The next time you are at a Hy-Vee, Fareway or Jewel grocery store, pick up a Rubbermaid storage container and you will see this “Level 5” triangle stamp embossed on the bottom.