9 February 2026

Four rules for the safe use of plastic food containers

The ministry's guidance on plastic food containers: (1) Look for the glass-and-fork symbol, a "suitable for food contact" statement or wording that specifies the intended use. (2) Do not reuse single-use plastics — washing and heat degrade the material and increase the risk of substances migrating into food. (3) Follow the microwave, temperature and dishwasher instructions; using containers outside those conditions can damage the plastic. (4) Never expose plastic containers to open flame or high-heat sources.