Plastic Suitable for Honey Bottle Packaging: Safety Insights from the Propolis Container Debate

Recently, more people have asked whether propolis liquid should be packed in plastic bottles or glass bottles. Some manufacturers that bottle propolis liquid in glass have nevertheless promoted the claim that plastic bottles must not be used, because propolis liquid will react chemically with plastic and cause toxic side effects.

In fact, this view was raised as early as the 1980s by Moritaro Kinoshita of Japan. He referred to using plastic bottles to hold propolis, saying that plastic raw materials such as synthetic resin, polyethylene, vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate would interact with propolis components and change its nature. This, however, is only speculation, with no definitive experiments or data to support it, so it is not sufficient grounds.

In related research experiments, the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine and other institutions were commissioned to carry out separate toxicological and stability tests on propolis products that had been held for a relatively long time in plastic buckets and plastic bottles. The results were of the non-toxic grade, and the physicochemical properties of the product ingredients were stable. This shows that plastic did not produce toxic side effects on propolis products.

After reviewing national and industry standards for drugs, foods and health foods, no provision prohibiting the use of plastic bottles was found. On the contrary, requirements for drugs are presumably stricter than those for foods and health foods, and among drugs, requirements for infusion fluids are even more at the forefront. However, relevant experts point out that using plastic bottles for infusion fluids has become a development trend in China and abroad. Plastic-bottle infusion offers many advantages that glass-bottle infusion cannot match: smaller bottle body, lighter weight, resistance to breakage, impact resistance, convenient transport, stable chemical properties, no leachables, no particle shedding, single use, avoidance of cross-contamination, a high degree of production automation, little human influence and limited quality fluctuation. Some experts predict that a pattern in which plastic-bottle infusion replaces glass-bottle infusion and rivals it on equal footing will take shape in the next few years. Moreover, in recent years, plastic bottles may grow somewhat faster than non-bag infusion. Although there has been controversy, some overseas reports say the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has now reclassified the widely used plasticizer di phthalate (DEHP) as non-carcinogenic to humans. In addition, the state has strict standards for plastic additives, and qualified plastic containers used for food and drugs are safe.

Therefore, without a definitive conclusion, claiming that propolis liquid cannot be packaged in plastic bottles is rather arbitrary. If no definitive experimental result supports it, those who hold this view may be suspected of commercial hype and unfair competition.

One reminder: when choosing plastic bottles, one must choose bottles made from materials intended for food, drugs and similar uses, and confirm this before purchase.

——This article is reprinted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-369999.html