Black plastic food trays pose no danger, health agency says

By The Nation

 

 

Thais have no reason to worry about health risks from the black plastic food trays commonly used here, the government’s Department of Medical Sciences says.

 

Director-general Dr Sukhum Kanchanapimai said on Friday that all 84 samples of plastic food containers the department tested between 2013 and 2017 had met safety standards.

 

The reassurance came after panic spread on social media over a recently published British study that found high levels of lead, antimony and bromine – a flame retardant – in black plastic trays used to package everything from electrical equipment to food.

 

Dr Sukhum said consumers should simply choose good-quality food containers made of materials appropriate to their use, such as microwaving, and, if stored or reused, to keep them clean.

 

He cited a 2005 public health ministerial regulation controlling plastic-container quality and cleanliness. The plastic used for food packaging can contain no harmful level of contaminant or be recycled plastic.

 

The department’s Bureau of Quality and Safety of Food had tested the 84 samples of black plastic food containers for heavy metals and for any sign of chemical release and transfer. All samples were up to par, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30353945

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-07

Thanks, Dr. Director-general! Now my worries are completely dispelled.

As someone said recently: If the government tell me not to panic, then I panic.

 

This seems like cause for concern, perhaps the Director General isn't too hot on English or internet use:

http://abcofagri.com/why-black-plastic-pollutes-the-planet-and-threatens-our-health/

 

Only to the rest of the world.?.

The main issue with this " Black Plastic " used for food trays Etc, is that it cannot be recycled.

Apparently, this stuff is not made to a certain standard, so is like a Baloney of plastic which the facilities cannot break down.

As a Nation hooked on fast food takeaway, Thailand should be very worried about the amount of this stuff being used.

Ok, so what about the white or gray ones? Since the color seems to be so important. 

Only pose a danger to the environment.. but hey that's ok !!!!!

You'd think in 2018 they'd come up with a biodegradable container for food!

13 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Only pose a danger to the environment.. but hey that's ok !!!!!

You'd think in 2018 they'd come up with a biodegradable container for food!

Back in the fifties and sixties we used cardboard...

14 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Only pose a danger to the environment.. but hey that's ok !!!!!

You'd think in 2018 they'd come up with a biodegradable container for food!

It used to be called a banana leaf....

1 minute ago, Jonah Tenner said:

Back in the fifties and sixties we used cardboard...

Oh! how primitive we were in those days. 

Ban all single use plastics. 

Phew! We can all sleep safe and continue to eat black plastic trays.

11 hours ago, webfact said:

Black plastic food trays pose no danger, health agency says

There not much of a meal on their own anyway. I prefer them as a side dish.

use them in a microwave?? I don't think so lol

"...samples of plastic food containers the department tested between 2013 and 2017 had met safety standards."

One would hope that those "safety standards" are higher that those of road safety standards. 

Edited September 7, 20188 yr by jaltsc

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Black plastic food trays pose no danger

Personally I'm always wary of things I can't see in the dark

2 hours ago, drgoon said:

use them in a microwave?? I don't think so lol

SOP at your local 7/11. Enjoy.

1 hour ago, lamyai3 said:

Personally I'm always wary of things I can't see in the dark

Sometimes it makes life more exciting, especially in Africa.

 

19 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Sometimes it makes life more exciting, especially in Africa.

 

Yes who let that elephant in the room?

10 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

Yes who let that elephant in the room?

Must have been Noddy, isn't it the African elephants that have Big Ears?

 

Edited September 8, 20188 yr by bluesofa
misprit

54 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Must have been Noddy, isn't it the African elephants that have Big Ears?

 

Your confused easy mistake Big Ears is Noddy's mate but not sure if he has microwave to cook black plastic ?

17 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

1 hour ago, bluesofa said:

Must have been Noddy, isn't it the African elephants that have Big Ears?

Your confused easy mistake Big Ears is Noddy's mate but not sure if he has microwave to cook black plastic ?

I thought that was why the elephants have Big Ears - Noddy wouldn't pay the ransom.

There's a black soup made from the burnt mbongo spice, but he probably wouldn't see it too well in the black plastic tray.

 

Lets see how great they are when tonnes and tonnes are being washed up on Maya beach in 1o years time.

21 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Ok, so what about the white or gray ones? Since the color seems to be so important. 

White trays are no problem to recycle, not sure about Grey ones though

But the White trays are more expensive to manufacture due to the raw material costs

Hence its Black every where 

On 9/7/2018 at 12:09 PM, rebo said:

Thanks, Dr. Director-general! Now my worries are completely dispelled.

Mine not, how do we know if restaurants and vendors also use  food quality plastics to prepare/store food?

On 9/7/2018 at 5:50 PM, hotchilli said:

Only pose a danger to the environment.. but hey that's ok !!!!!

You'd think in 2018 they'd come up with a biodegradable container for food!

Our takeaway restaurant around the corner serves the food in biodegradable containers since 3 years or so...khao pad costs 50 baht since they use them, a good portion.