Polystyrene has been used for foodservice packaging—foam coffee cups, salad bar takeout containers, hot noodle cups and more—for more than six decades.
In the U.S., the federal
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strictly regulates all food packaging materials, including polystyrene. FDA has determined that
polystyrene is safe for use in contact with food. In addition, while some have raised questions about the safety of styrene, the Director of the National Toxicology Program said “In finished [polystyrene foam containers], styrene is not an issue.” The
European Commission/European Food Safety Authority and other regulatory agencies have reached similar conclusions.
Public health officials also have recognized the important
sanitary benefits of these disposable foodservice products, particularly in settings such as hospitals, schools, nursing homes, cafeterias and restaurants where it is critical that the materials in contact with food be clean and hygienic.
For additional information, please visit the
safety page on
plasticfoodservicefacts.com or the
polystyrene page on
chemicalsafetyfacts.org.