How to Tell If a Plastic Container Is Food-Grade Safe

1. Look for the resin identification code on the container - Most plastic containers have a small triangular recycling symbol with a number from 1 to 7 inside it, usually molded into the base. This number identifies the specific plastic resin used, which is the starting point for understanding whether that material is generally considered food-safe.
2. Know which resin codes are commonly used for food contact - Codes 1 (PET), 2 (HDPE), 4 (LDPE), and 5 (PP) are the resins most commonly approved and used for food and beverage packaging. Code 3 (PVC), 6 (PS), and 7 (a catch-all for other or mixed plastics) are less commonly used for direct food contact and warrant more caution.
3. Check the product listing for explicit FDA food-contact language - A resin code alone doesn't guarantee a specific container is approved for food use, since manufacturing additives and coatings vary between products even within the same resin type. Look for a product page that explicitly states the container is FDA approved, rather than assuming this based on the resin code.

4. Understand that food-grade doesn't mean food is required or automatic - "Food-grade" describes a container's manufacturing and material compliance - it doesn't mean the container was necessarily used for food previously, nor does it certify a specific formula or product as safe. Food-grade is a packaging material standard, not a guarantee about what should go inside it.
5. Consider your specific product's properties, not just the container's rating - A food-grade container rated for a dry product may not be the right choice for something oily, acidic, or alcohol-based, since these properties can interact differently with a given plastic even within food-grade materials. Match the container to your product's specific characteristics, not just its general food-grade status.
6. When in doubt, contact the container's manufacturer or supplier directly - For any use case with real regulatory stakes - a commercial food or beverage product, for instance - confirming food-grade status directly with the container's manufacturer or supplier is more reliable than inferring it from a resin code or general description alone.

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How to Tell If a Plastic Container Is Food-Grade Safe FAQ

Telling whether a plastic container is food-grade safe starts with the resin code, but confirming explicit FDA food-contact language on the actual product is the more reliable check.

What Does the Number Inside the Triangle Symbol Mean?

It's a resin identification code from 1 to 7 that identifies the specific plastic resin used in the container, which is a starting point for assessing food safety.

Which Resin Codes Are Considered Food-Safe?

Codes 1 (PET), 2 (HDPE), 4 (LDPE), and 5 (PP) are the resins most commonly approved and used for food and beverage packaging.

Is a Resin Code Enough to Confirm a Container Is Food-Safe?

Not on its own - manufacturing additives and coatings vary between products even within the same resin type, so explicit FDA food-contact language on the product listing is more reliable.

Does Food-Grade Mean the Container Was Used for Food Before?

No - food-grade describes a container's manufacturing and material compliance, not its prior use, and it doesn't certify any specific product placed inside it as safe.

Should I Contact the Manufacturer If I'm Not Sure?

Yes - for any use case with real regulatory stakes, confirming food-grade status directly with the manufacturer or supplier is more reliable than inferring it from a resin code alone.

Related Packaging Information

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• FDA Approved & BPA Free Packaging
• Plastic Container Recycle Codes
• Are Plastic Bottles Recyclable?
• Product Spotlight - Peanut Butter Jars
• Product Spotlight - Clear Plastic Beverage Bottles
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