Plastic was first discovered in 1855 by Alexander Parkes. The plastic containers we know today date back to the mid-20th century. Plastic, derived from petroleum, is used in various products such as packaging, clothing fibers, construction materials, medical tools, and more. Its annual production has more than doubled over the past twenty years, reaching 460 million tons, and it may triple by 2060 if no action is taken.
The concerning aspect is that two-thirds of this production ends up as waste after single or multiple uses, with less than 10% of plastic waste being recycled. Large quantities of plastic waste end up in the oceans, ice caps, mountains, and are even found in the blood, breast milk, and placenta of living organisms.
To address this environmental threat, the United Nations Environment Program established an “International Governmental Negotiating Committee” in 2022 in Nairobi to develop a legally binding treaty by 2024. France was the first country to ban single-use plates and cups in restaurants, and in January 2023, the UK’s Ministry of Environment and Agriculture announced that England would ban single-use plastic cutlery, dishes, food containers, trays, and certain types of polystyrene containers starting from October 2023. Penalties will be imposed on companies that violate the ban.
Therefore, there is no need to extensively explain the hazards of plastic to consumers. However, let’s take a quick look at the matter:
Numerous studies have warned against storing food in plastic containers and highlighted the potential dangers of doing so. Plastic containers rely on various petrochemical compounds, including harmful synthetic estrogens. They have been associated with disrupting hormonal systems in both males and females, causing birth defects in newborns, early puberty in girls, increasing the risk of estrogen-dependent cancers such as breast cancer, and affecting male fertility.
Despite these risks, several types of plastic are classified as food-grade:
1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE): Commonly used in water bottles, intended for single-use only.
2. High-density polyethylene (HDPE): Usually used for milk and juice containers and in the production of large barrels for honey storage.
3. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE): Typically used for storing condiments like ketchup and mayonnaise.
4. Polypropylene (PP): Known for its durability and used for making ready-to-eat food containers that are microwave-safe.
5. Polycarbonates: Less common due to potential chemical leaking.
While these plastics have different compositions, they share factors that can affect the food they store:
1. They are made from non-natural petrochemical materials.
2. They are highly sensitive to heat, leading to chemical changes that may contaminate the food.
3. Plastics are prone to degradation and are chemically reactive to their environment.
These factors, along with the potential release of harmful compounds like Bisphenol A (BPA) from plastics, make plastic unsuitable for honey preservation. BPA, widely used in plastic and epoxy resins, has been studied for its potential impact on human health, specifically as an endocrine disruptor.
For large-scale honey storage and transportation, plastic barrels made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are the standard choice. These barrels are designed to be non-reactive with honey, forming a protective barrier against external contaminants. They undergo thorough sanitation processes to ensure that no foreign substances can trigger interactions between honey and plastic.
While the interaction between honey and plastic is minimal during large-scale storage, it remains crucial to adhere to quality standards and proper storage practices to preserve the honey’s safety and quality. Temperature control is particularly important, as plastic is highly sensitive to high temperatures, which can potentially accelerate chemical reactions with food, including honey. However, it is not recommended to store honey in small containers made of HDPE for extended periods of time. We have observed changes in taste, color, and texture in honey after storing it for a relatively short period in a small 1 kg container made of this material.