Debunking Plastic Bottle Myths: Safety & FDA Insights

According to plastics manufacturers and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), several concerns regarding the safety of plastic bottles or food containers are unfounded.

Freezing Water

• Freezing water in plastic bottles will not release dioxins into the water. The FDA has stated: "We have seen no evidence that plastic containers or films contain dioxins and know of no reason why they would."

Microwave Use

• The FDA has found no evidence that using plastic in a microwave oven is dangerous to the contents if the container is used according to the instructions on the packaging.

Six-Pack Rings

• Federal law mandates that the plastic rings that hold six-packs of plastic bottles together must be made of material that is 100 percent photodegradable, meaning it can be broken down by light.

Phthalates

• Phthalates are additives found only in plastic materials made of vinyl or PVC. Plastic bottles or food packages do not contain phthalates.

Recycling Number

• The numbers located on the bottom of plastic bottles or containers are for recycling purposes only and do not indicate how a container should be used.