Using Styrofoam Packaging, Is it Safe?

Now you do not have to worry when you want to buy meat in supermarkets packed with polystyrene packaging or commonly known as Styrofoam plastic, because the packaging is not dangerous as misperception most people.

In a release received by Medcom.id, many people think that styrofoam as a food packaging is not safe for human health because it can cause cancer. It is assumed because of the styrene content in the package.

According to the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) / World Health Organization (WHO), styrene residue is still safe for humans if the amount is below 5000 ppm.

The opinion was denied by the Head of Polymer Technology and Membrane Technology (LPTM) ITB Ir. Akhmad Zainal Abidin, M.Sc., Ph.D., in a public lecture that he brought on the campus of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia in early December.

"Polystyrene and styrene are two different substances. Same difference with carbon and diamond (diamond). Styrene is really dangerous. But polystyrene, especially those that have become food packaging, contains only 10-43 ppm styrene, "explains Akhmad Zainal.

Still within the Secure Limit

"The amount is still within safe limits according to WHO and POM standards, and there are some foods that we commonly consume to have not much different styrene content, such as strawberries, coffee, and cinnamon," he explained in front of a number of engineering students from various departments .

"So if you declare a dangerous polystyrene food pack, that means strawberries, coffee, and cinnamon are just as dangerous," he added.

According to the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) / World Health Organization (WHO), styrene residue is still safe for humans if the amount is below 5000 ppm.

In our own country, the use of polystyrene food packaging has been permitted by the Indonesian government. The permit was issued by the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (POM) in its 2009 press release, where they conducted the study for 17 "Styrofoam" packaging and found that the ppm residue was still in very high numbers safe, ie 10 to 43 ppm.

This figure is well below the level of harm. Then in 2011, in the policy no. K.03.1.23.07.11.6664 in 2011, the POM Board stipulates the maximum limit of total residue of styrene monomer for food packaging, which is 0.5 percent - 1 percent of the weight, depending on the type of food.

Thoroughly Against the Triangle Logo
  
However, it still needs to be more careful when using styrofoam with triangle logo with code 6 and PS, do not use it as a food container for microwave.

Also do not use the packaging that is already damaged for oily and fatty foods, especially if it is still hot. So, always make sure the packaging is still in perfect condition and logo according to government standards.

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