Let's talk glass and food packaging and safety - share your thoughts and you could win a £250 JL voucher NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

We have been asked by the team at Friends of Glass to find out your opinion about health risks from food packaging.

Friends of Glass are an influential European consumer forum that supports and promotes the right of consumers to be able to choose food and drink products in glass packaging. It unites all those who believe glass is the clear choice for their health, their families and for the environment. Friends of Glass was created by British Glass and the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) in 2009. Their mission is to promote glass packaging and glass recycling.

They say "According to some new research launched today, 2 out of 3 parents in the EU are concerned about the migration of harmful substances from packaging into their children's food and drink. Are you one of these parents? We'd love to find out more about these concerns. We know that chemicals found in some types of food packaging can diffuse into the food and drink they contain in small amounts. There is a body of scientific research that says not enough is known about the effects of these chemicals on the human body and could be harmful to health over the long term. One of the more well-known chemicals, BP-A (Bisphenol A) is banned in children’s food and drink packaging in some countries such as France. You may be aware of the Breast Cancer UK campaign against BP-A called 'No More BPA'.

"We love glass as it's inert and therefore requires no chemical layer to protect its contents, unlike other packaging materials. Of course, glass can break but major advances in the way glass containers are produced have resulted in much lighter yet more resilient bottles and jars. Glass is also 100% recyclable so good for the environment and can be safely used in the microwave, steriliser and dishwasher over and over again with no deterioration".

So please share on this thread your opinion on the following: all comments welcome
~ Do you worry or are you concerned about the safety of food and drink packaging? In what ways do you worry/ are you concerned? Do you understand the issues around this topic? What don't you understand?
~ Are you aware of the safer options? If so, what do you consider them to be?
~ Do you consider glass packaging safer than plastic, and would it be your preference?

Friends of Glass are interested in your views and whether you would like to see more products available in glass packaging and any other views you have on the topic.

Everyone who adds a comment to this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £250 JL voucher.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

PS Friends of Glass are interested in speaking to some MNers directly after this thread - if they'd like to speak to you we will PM you (no obligation)

[ClairityVerity]

I've long been concerned about the use of plastics in food packaging - and especially in ready meals which are meant to be oven heated in their plastic containers. Even before the BPA scandal I never heated food in plastic containers, though of course I occasionally receive it from takeaways.

As far as I'm aware it's only the heating and freezing of plastics that causes micro drops to leach into the food - unfortunately I can't afford glass tupperware otherwise I'd gladly replace my plastics for freezing food.

I once tried metal drinking bottles for the children but something strange happened to the interior - not sure what - so I went back to plastic. I generally don't worry about using plastics in lunch boxes, but I always make sure any plastics containing food do not warm up on hot days/ in warm cars, etc.

Happy to be PM'd.

[stephgr]

I don't really think about packaging except when it comes to recycling. I don't prefer glass because it's heavier and some members of my family are pretty clumsy so I worry about breakages. Having read the information from Friends of Glass I'm going to have to find out more about BPA.

[Gen35]

I would definitely like to see more glass packaging and would even pay a small premium for particularly children's food in glass containers, I do worry about the effect of chemicals leaching from plastic although I couldn't do without some convenience foods for children.

[AnnMumsnet]

Thanks for all the comments - am pleased to say HeartStarCircleSquare wins the £250 John Lewis voucher. Well done!

[Wjjkl]

I do not overly worry about food packaging. I do think in general, things are far too over packaged and not enough is recyclable.

I would prefer glass where possible due to concerns over plastics, but sometimes it would simply not be practical - eg you couldn't have a single 6 pint glass container for milk as it'd be too heavy and 6 individual pints would take up too much space.. Bring back the daily milkman!!

[DreamingOfAFullNightsSleep]

I do worry about plastic bottles being reused. tetrapaks don't seem to be widely taken by kerbside recycling. I'd prefer more glass though hadn't though of the poster up thread's comment that due to higher distribution costs for heavier weight this will make it more expensive. I would probably not be put off if was only say 50p or so more but my husband is a scrimper and probably would!

[ScrambledEggAndToast]

In all honesty safety is not really a concern for me with regards to chemicals from the plastic seeping into the food or anything like that as I know there are strict rules surrounding how it is produced. I never go out of my way to buy products in glass containers, although somehow milk seems to taste nicer out of a glass bottle, maybe it's a psychological thing though. My only concern about plastic containers is the issue surround recycling and sustainability so obviously glass is much better in an environmental sense. I would never give a young child something glass to eat/drink from as I would be worried they would drop it and cut themselves.