Consumers are urged to be mindful of the food safety concern in the usage of disposable plastic foam containers - cups, dishes, lunch boxes and meat trays.
In two previous tests (in 1996 and 2001), the Consumer Council has also raised the concern that the products should be used with due care and caution.
The main food safety concern in plastic foam or EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) ware is the release of hazardous chemicals that may occur after decomposition of the material polystyrene at very high temperature.
A complaint was recently brought to the attention of the Council in that the consumer found signs of serious decomposition in the bottom of the lunch box bought from a fast food outlet. The matter was referred to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for follow-up action.
Consumers are reminded that plastic foam products are designed typically for use with temperature ranging from 0°C to 100°C. They are therefore not suitable for very hot foods or other high temperature applications.
Deep-fried food items, for instance, may reach a temperature of 180°C or above. The heat transfer from hot food to the container may cause physical deformation of the foamed structure - and, potentially, decomposition of the material polystyrene and the release of hazardous chemicals.
Food handlers and the consumer public are advised to leave such deep-fried food in open air to dissipate heat before putting into the container. Otherwise a heat-resistant container should be used.
Further, plastic foam cups are not suitable for hot citric beverage such as hot lemon tea or lemon water, to avoid decomposition of the foam.
And unless the product is labelled "microwavable" or "microwave oven safe", do not use it to reheat food or beverage in a microwave oven.
Besides the food safety concern, disposable plastic foam products are creating a severe problem to the environment - up to 78 tons of plastic foam waste was produced per day during 2003 according to the Environmental Protection Department.
In the interest of environmental protection, consumers should opt for the use of reusable utensil for meals as much as possible.
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