"Parenting" Q & A on the Proper Use of Food Ware Containers from Minnesota

Official letter from the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, to parents

Q1. What is the authority responsible for the hygiene and safety of food containers and packaging?
Ans: The Department of Health (DOH) is the responsible authority. For the hygiene and safety of food containers and packaging, DOH has established the "Hygienic Standard for Food Containers and Packaging".

Q2. What is the heat-resistant temperature of Minute Maid food ware containers?
Ans: Generally speaking, it is about 110~130℃, but it depends on the characteristics of plastic products.

Q3. Are there any standards for Minute Maid food containers?
Ans: Currently, there are health standards for formaldehyde-based plastic food containers and packaging, in which formaldehyde and phenol are both negative. In order to strengthen the management of Minute Maid containers and utensils, and to protect the public's dietary safety, the Bureau has added and notified the control item of "formaldehyde-melamine-based plastics" and set the melamine dissolution limit (2.5 ppm), taking into account the risk of exposure, the regulatory requirements of various countries and the background value of the domestic market.

Q4.When will the new standards be implemented?
Ans: The revised draft "Hygienic Standard for Packaging of Food Apparatus Containers", which was previewed on September 30, 100, is expected to be officially announced for implementation by the end of 100 years.

Q5. Does the Department of Health conduct sample tests on products available in the market?
Ans: In 1998, the former Bureau of Pharmaceutical and Food Inspection of the Department of Health analyzed the melamine leaching level of 52 melamine-containing containers and utensils, and all of them were in compliance with the current hygiene standards except for one case which was found to be 4.8 ppm.

Q6.What will happen if the products do not meet the hygiene standards?
Ans: If the products on the market do not meet the hygiene standards, the manufacturers are required to remove the products from the shelves and recall them for improvement in accordance with the Food Sanitation Law, and if they fail to do so, they will be subject to a fine of not less than 30,000 yuan and not more than 150,000 yuan.

Q7.What should I pay attention to when using Minneware at home?
Ans:
1. Containers and ladles for hot soup should be made of metal, ceramic or glass.
2. For microwave heating, electric cooking or baking containers, it is more appropriate to use materials other than plastic.
3. Repeatedly used utensils should be replaced immediately if they are scratched or worn.

Q8. Selection of Minute Maid Containers and Tableware
Ans: Check the material and characteristics of the product before use, and buy products with clear labels; avoid using overly bright and colorful utensils.

Q9. How do I properly clean a Minute Maid container?
Ans: Choose neutral detergent when cleaning, avoid acidic or alkaline detergent erosion of plastic; plastic tableware after cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, should avoid the use of ultraviolet sterilization, once found to have material cracking or color anomalies, then you should try to avoid using.

[Plastic utensils should be used correctly.
Understanding Plastics
It is mainly made of organic compounds polymerized, and nowadays, many daily necessities use plastics, such as spoons, forks, straws, plastic bags, etc. Therefore, it is very important to choose the correct plastic food utensils, containers, and packaging according to the characteristics of the material, and the following information provides the characteristics of the material, the way of use, and how to use it correctly.

How to choose plastic dinnerware?

How do I know what kind of plastic I'm using?

[You can find out the material of the product from the code].

Characteristics of Plastic Materials

Is it okay to wrap utensils in a plastic bag and place food directly on top?
Food should be served in bowls and plates. Do not put plastic bags over utensils to avoid leaching of health-hazardous substances from the plastic bags due to high temperature.

What is the heat-resistant temperature of Minute Maid food utensil containers?
Generally speaking, it is about 110～130℃, depending on the characteristics of the product.

Selection and Use of Minute Maid Containers and Tableware
Check the material and characteristics of the product before use, and purchase products with clear labels; avoid using excessively fresh products.
For microwave heating, steaming, or baking, use utensils other than plastic.
The material is more appropriate.

Notes on the use of plastic eating utensils:

Avoid physical damage
1. When using and cleaning plastic containers and utensils, it is not advisable to brush them excessively.
2. Repeatedly used plastic containers and utensils should be replaced immediately if they are scratched or worn.

Avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures
1. Avoid serving hot or acidic foods or beverages.
2. Polylactic acid (PLA) is not heat-resistant material and is not suitable for high temperature food.

Selection of Plastic Containers and Tableware
1. Check the material and characteristics of the plastic before use, and purchase products with clear labels.
2. Polyethylene (PE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) film should not be used in direct contact with food.
3. Avoid using overly bright and colorful plastic eating utensils.

Precautions for cleaning plastic containers
1. Choose neutral detergents to avoid acidic or alkaline detergents from corroding the plastic.
2. When sterilizing plastic tableware after washing, avoid using ultraviolet ray sterilization, once you find out that there are materials that can be used to sterilize plastic tableware, you should not use ultraviolet ray sterilization.
Avoid using the product if it is cracked or has an abnormal color.