Recycling numbers (organic, heating, stove, plastic)

[crisan]

Out of curiosity, I looked up the meaning behind the recycling numbers imprinted on all of our plastics. I found out that plastic #6 was used mainly for Styrofoam and that it leaches potentially harmful chemicals, especially when heated.

So I look under the container for organic Yobaby yogurt that I feed my baby and find the #6. This has been the only food from plastic I have given her thank goodness.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by crisan

I found out that plastic #6 was used mainly for Styrofoam and that it leaches potentially harmful chemicals, especially when heated.

I believe the main concern about this is parents were heating baby formula or whatever in the microwave or stove top. I'm not sure why anyone would ever heat anything in plastic, I see a lot of people using plastic in the microwave. Common sense will tell you that if it melts at such a low temperature it's going to release chemicals when heated. Appears that it is used in a lot of things like CD's. I believe this specific plastic has a more glass like attribute, doesn't retain odors etc.

There's a recent news release from the EPA here on it:

Update on Bisphenol A for Use in Food Contact Applications: January 2010 (http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm197739.htm - broken link)