Disposable Tableware

The use of polymer containers, or so-called single-use plastic containers, has, for several reasons such as easy use, saving time, and observing hygiene, etc., found a widespread role in people's lives. Likewise, their use for packaging food products produced industrially has increased people's tendency to use them in ceremonies, the distribution of votive food (nazri), and even at family gatherings. The use of these containers, with health and economic justifications in the packaging of food products, has found a special place and has replaced many containers in the packaging of food products. Of course, one of the drawbacks of using these containers is environmental pollution due to their not being recyclable, which today, with the production and supply of plant-based single-use containers, this drawback too has been resolved; the use of these containers can have a great effect on a person's health, because the use of unsuitable single-use containers will have many complications. When using single-use containers, what points should we pay attention to? 1/ Type of containers Single-use containers come in very many types, each of which also has a special application. Therefore, for consuming each type of food or drink, one must use the container made for that type of food substance. Consumers of single-use containers must pay attention to the abbreviated symbols imprinted on the bottom of the container, symbols such as PP, PS, etc.; these symbols indicate the material of the container and ultimately express the type of use and application of that container. 2/ Packaging and labeling: All factories producing containers and packaging with food and beverage uses must obtain a manufacturing permit for each type of container. The manufacturing permit number from the Ministry of Health gives this assurance that the single-use container is produced from suitable raw material and in a hygienic manner and is usable for the consumption of food products. Including the batch number, the factory address, the date of manufacture, and information of this kind on the box or plastic packaging of single-use containers is also necessary. The following symbols must be clearly indicated separately on the bottom of the container: 1/ The (FOOD GRADE) symbol, which appears in this form. 2/ A triangle-like symbol under which the abbreviated name of the container is engraved. 3/ The name of the manufacturing company or its trade name. Applications of single-use containers A polyethylene container of the (HDPE) type is suitable for packaging and storing oil, vinegar, and dairy products (milk, buttermilk, and yogurt) and food substances at high temperature. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers are used as bottles for water, soft drinks, and oil. Single-use containers of the polystyrene type are recommended only for food products at ordinary temperature (below 70 degrees), and they cannot be used for hot drinks (tea, cocoa milk, and coffee), food products at high temperature, and fatty food items such as: butter, margarine, etc. A polypropylene (PP) container is permitted for packaging dairy products (yogurt, cream, cheese) and food substances at high temperature and humidity. For handling hot food products such as ash (thick soup) and halim at a temperature higher than 70 degrees, a polypropylene container should be used. This type of container is identifiable by the (PP) symbol on the bottom of the container. The use of (PVC) containers for storing and packaging directly any type of food product (dry and moist) is forbidden.