Plastic bottle manufacturers: plastic containers are not marked with expiration dates, really

Plastic containers are not marked with an expiration date. Is there really no shelf life? It is understood that in March this year, the Hong Kong Consumer Council released an investigation report that nearly 30% of plastic lunch boxes that can be heated in microwave ovens will release plasticizers. This also means that plastic container products have a shelf life and will age after expiration. In addition, PET plastic bottles have previously been exposed to contain carcinogens - heavy metal antimony, and PET is currently the most used packaging material in beverages. "Even if the product meets the standards, overdue use will easily increase the potential risk of antimony to the human body." Experts said.

In fact, it is not that plastic bottles have no shelf life, but the shelf life changes with the way people use them. It is common for plastic containers to be used for several years without being replaced until they are damaged. We will take plastic water cups as an example to illustrate their shelf life.

Recently, the author randomly interviewed more than 20 citizens about this, and none of them could tell the shelf life of plastic container products. In the survey, it is more common for common food-grade plastic products to be used for three or four years or even longer.

"I only heard that the production date is marked, but I have never heard of the shelf life." During the visit, some plastic product sellers showed the reporter a few products. Whether it is a water cup or a washbasin, there is no shelf life. Subsequently, the reporter contacted the manufacturer according to the contact information on a plastic water cup, and the staff replied that at present, the country only requires the labeling of materials, uses, production dates, precautions, etc., and there is no shelf life.

In shopping places such as supermarkets in urban areas, when reporters asked how long plastic products can be used, most shopping guides replied: "If you use it, you can replace it, and if it is not bad, continue to use it. We really don't know if it can How long will it take?"

How long is the shelf life of a plastic product? Experts said that the use of plastic products and cleaning methods are different, which have a certain impact on the "life" of plastic products, although there is currently no clear stipulation on which material of plastic has a long shelf life. , but the industry has a general statement that the shelf life of most plastic products is three to five years.

Experts suggest that food-grade plastic products in life should be replaced every two years. After a period of use, it should be checked whether they are discolored, brittle, and whether there are bumps inside. If there is such a situation, it should be timely. Replacement, and plastic bottle manufacturers recommend changing it every year, and the safety hazards that exist in the past year have already existed.