Study: Reusable plastic containers still pose food safety concerns
A study released by the Center for Food Safety at the University of Arkansas’ Department of Food Science documents that multiple hurdles continue to exist in ensuring reusable plastic containers (RPCs) are clean and lack microbial contamination above safe levels.
The Center for Food Safety conducted a series of four new studies to test sanitizers outlined by the RPC industry. To test sterilization, this study exceeded concentrations by 1,000 times and doubled exposure times deemed safe for consumable food contact by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Results showed that RPCs were still unable to achieve recommended levels for sanitization.