What Plastic Is Food Grade Every Resin Code Ranked?

Not all plastic is safe for food, and the recycling code on the bottom of a container is your first clue. The short answer is that resin codes 1, 2, 4, and 5 are generally considered food grade for single or repeated use, while codes 3, 6, and 7 require caution or should be avoided for food contact. This guide ranks every resin code so you know exactly what to use, what to toss, and why the number matters more than you think.

What Do the Resin Codes Actually Mean?

The number inside the triangle of arrows is called a resin identification code. It was created by the plastics industry to identify the type of polymer used to make the product. It was never designed to tell you whether a plastic is safe for food. That distinction comes from the FDA and other regulatory bodies, which evaluate specific formulations, not just the base resin.

Every plastic container also contains additives like colorants, plasticizers, and stabilizers. These additives can leach into food, especially when the plastic is heated or scratched. So the resin code is a starting point, not a complete safety guarantee.

Manufacturers that produce food-grade plastic must submit data showing that their specific product meets FDA standards for food contact. When you see a container marked with a resin code, it does not automatically mean that container was made to food-grade standards. However, in practice, most containers with codes 1, 2, 4, and 5 are safe for food use.

Ranking Every Resin Code From Safest to Least Safe

Here is the complete ranking based on current evidence and regulatory guidance. The ranking considers chemical stability, leaching risk, and how the plastic behaves under normal food storage conditions.

• Code 1 (PET or PETE) — Polyethylene terephthalate. Used for water bottles, soda bottles, and salad dressing containers. Safe for single use. Not designed for repeated washing or hot liquids.
• Code 2 (HDPE) — High-density polyethylene. Used for milk jugs, detergent bottles, and some food storage containers. Safe for food. Resists chemicals well and is one of the more stable plastics.
• Code 4 (LDPE) — Low-density polyethylene. Used for bread bags, squeeze bottles, and some food wraps. Safe for food. Not commonly used for rigid storage containers but safe for what it is designed to do.
• Code 5 (PP) — Polypropylene. Used for yogurt cups, margarine tubs, and many reusable food containers. Safe for food. Has a high melting point, so it handles warm foods better than most other plastics.
• Code 7 (Other) — This is a catch-all category. It includes polycarbonate, bioplastics, and mixed resins. Some code 7 plastics are safe, but polycarbonate contains bisphenol A (BPA), which is a concern. Avoid code 7 unless the label specifically says it is BPA-free.
• Code 6 (PS) — Polystyrene. Used for disposable cups, takeout containers, and foam trays. Not recommended for food. Styrene can migrate into food, especially when heated or used with fatty foods.
• Code 3 (PVC) — Polyvinyl chloride. Used for cling wrap, some bottles, and plumbing. Not recommended for food contact. Contains phthalates and other plasticizers that can leach into food.

Is Code 1 Plastic Safe for Reuse?

Code 1 plastic is safe for its intended single use. Water bottles and soda bottles made from PET are fine to use once and recycle. Reusing them repeatedly is where the risk appears.

PET is porous and can harbor bacteria once scratched. Washing it with hot water can also break down the polymer structure over time. Some research suggests that PET can release antimony, a metal used in its production, when stored for long periods or exposed to heat. The levels found in studies are generally below safety limits, but repeated reuse and heat exposure increase the amount released.

The safest approach is to use code 1 bottles once and recycle them. If you need a reusable water bottle, choose one made from code 5 polypropylene or stainless steel instead.

Why Code 5 Polypropylene Is the Best Reusable Plastic

If you need a plastic container for repeated use, code 5 is the best choice. Polypropylene has a high melting point, which means it does not warp or break down easily in the dishwasher. It is also more resistant to chemical leaching than PET or polystyrene.

Most reusable food storage containers, yogurt cups, and medicine bottles are made from code 5. It is stable, does not contain BPA, and has been used safely in food contact applications for decades.

The main limitation is that polypropylene is not completely inert. Fatty foods and high heat can still cause some migration of additives. But compared to every other plastic resin, code 5 performs the best under normal kitchen conditions.

What About BPA and Code 7 Plastics?

Code 7 is the category that includes polycarbonate, which was commonly used in baby bottles and reusable water bottles before BPA concerns became public. BPA is an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can interfere with hormone function in the body.

Regulatory agencies in the United States and Europe have evaluated BPA and set safety limits for exposure. The FDA has stated that BPA is safe at current levels found in food. However, the agency also banned BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups due to consumer concern and evolving evidence.

Many manufacturers have moved away from polycarbonate entirely. Most code 7 plastics on the market today are labeled BPA-free. But code 7 is still a mixed bag. Some are made from plant-based materials, some are blends of multiple resins, and some contain other additives that have not been studied as thoroughly. If you see a code 7 container, check the label for specific information. If it does not say BPA-free, do not use it for food.

Which Plastics Should You Never Use for Food?

Code 3 and code 6 are the two resins you should avoid for food contact whenever possible.

Code 3, or PVC, contains phthalates to make it flexible. Phthalates are used in food packaging films and some bottles. They can leach into food, particularly fatty foods like cheese and meat. The FDA has approved certain phthalates for food contact at specific levels, but the evidence on their safety is mixed. Some studies link phthalate exposure to reproductive and developmental issues. The precautionary approach is to avoid PVC food wrap and use glass or polyethylene wrap instead.

Code 6, or polystyrene, is used in foam takeout containers and disposable cups. Styrene, the building block of polystyrene, is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Migration of styrene into food increases when the plastic is heated or exposed to acidic or fatty foods. Do not microwave foam containers and avoid using them for hot food or beverages.

What Does Food Grade Actually Mean Legally?

Food grade is not a regulated term in the same way that organic or gluten-free is. There is no single certification called food grade. Instead, the FDA regulates food contact substances under its food additive regulations.

A plastic is considered food grade if the manufacturer has demonstrated that chemicals from the plastic do not migrate into food at levels that would cause health concerns. This is done through migration testing, which measures how much of the plastic’s components transfer into food simulants under specific conditions.

So when a product is labeled food grade, it means the manufacturer has either followed FDA regulations or used a substance that is generally recognized as safe. The label does not mean the plastic is safe under every condition. It means the plastic is safe for the specific food type, temperature, and duration it was tested for.

How to Store Food in Plastic Safely

Even with food grade plastic, how you use it matters. Heat is the biggest factor in chemical migration. Do not microwave plastic containers unless they are specifically labeled microwave safe. The label means the container was tested for microwave use, not that the resin code alone makes it safe.

Do not put hot food directly into plastic containers. Let the food cool first. Hot food increases the rate of chemical migration from the plastic into the food.

Do not wash plastic containers in the dishwasher. The high heat and harsh detergents break down the plastic surface over time. Hand wash with mild soap and warm water instead.

Replace plastic containers that are scratched, cloudy, or warped. Scratches create places for bacteria to hide and increase the surface area for chemical leaching. Cloudiness and warping indicate the plastic is breaking down.

Do not store fatty or acidic foods in plastic for long periods. Tomato sauce, citrus, and oily foods are more likely to pull chemicals out of plastic. Glass is a better choice for these foods.

Glass and Stainless Steel Are Always Safer

The honest position is that no plastic is completely inert. Every plastic can leach some chemicals under the right conditions. The question is whether the amount is harmful, and for most food grade plastics under normal use, the amount is very low.

But if you want to minimize exposure entirely, glass and stainless steel are the best options. They do not contain plasticizers, BPA, or phthalates. They do not leach chemicals into food. They are also more durable and do not scratch as easily.

Glass is ideal for storage and reheating. Stainless steel is ideal for water bottles and lunch containers. The upfront cost is higher, but they last longer and eliminate the uncertainty that comes with any plastic.

Common Myths About Plastic Food Safety

One common myth is that freezing plastic releases harmful chemicals. Freezing actually slows down chemical migration. The concern with freezing is that some plastics become brittle and can crack, which creates a place for bacteria to grow. But freezing itself does not cause leaching.

Another myth is that the recycling code number indicates how safe the plastic is. It does not. The code only identifies the resin type. A code 5 container is not labeled food grade because of its number. It is food grade because the manufacturer used a food-approved formulation.

A third myth is that BPA-free plastic is completely safe. BPA-free means the specific chemical BPA is not present. But some BPA-free plastics use bisphenol S (BPS) or bisphenol F (BPF) instead. These chemicals have similar structures and may have similar effects on the body. The evidence on BPS and BPF is less developed, but early research suggests they are not necessarily safer than BPA.