MICROWAVEABLE PLASTIC AND STYROFOAM FOOD CONTAINERS

MICROWAVEABLE PLASTIC AND STYROFOAM FOOD CONTAINERS: 6.

Ms Ellen Lee Geck Hoon asked the Minister for National Development in view of recent studies showing that microwaveable plastic and styrofoam food containers commonly used in hawker food stalls may be carcinogenic when heated (a) whether AVA is looking into this; and

Column: 2335

(b) if it plans to mandate the use of alternative packaging for food products.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, under the Food Regulations of the Sale of Food Act, all food appliances that are imported, sold and used in Singapore must not impart harmful substances to the food stored in the containers and must be safe for their intended use.

The plastic and styrofoam food containers that are commonly used in eating outlets are made of polypropylene and polystyrene. They are safe for use as food containers. Both types of packaging material for the production of food-contact plastics are approved in many countries including the United States (US) and countries in the European Union (EU).

AVA's tests on these food containers available in Singapore show that they meet the safety standards set by the US and the EU, and do not pose any long-term health concerns.

Consumers should use plastic containers for their intended purpose and in accordance with manufacturers' directions. For example, styrofoam containers are suitable for serving food and for packing take-away food but not for microwave heating. Only plastic containers that are labelled "microwave-safe" may undergo microwave heating. Consumers should not use plastic containers in a microwave oven if they are in doubt.

Ms Ellen Lee (Sembawang): Sir, given the fact that most people are now eating out and also buying food back instead of cooking, I think in the public domain there is not much information about plastic and styrofoam which can be micro-

Column: 2336

waveable. Is AVA doing anything to raise the public awareness, because it is very common to see people putting styrofoam containers into microwave ovens to heat up food? Is there a time when AVA will be looking into doing away with all these styrofoam food containers, because many people have felt that it is not eco-friendly and could actually be going against the green movement as well?

Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman: Sir, on the question of how do we educate the public, it is recognised that today these packaging materials are used in many hawker centres and they are well accepted by the public. The most important thing for the public to know is to use it for microwave only if there is a label which says that it is microwaveable or can be microwaved. By and large, we would like the public to be more aware of circumstances for which they can use containers that could be microwaveable. I think it is possible for us to educate the public but, by and large, most styrofoam containers should not be used for microwave purposes, because they are not microwaveable.

Secondly, on the issue of whether it is environmentally friendly, plastic containers are disposed through incineration, similar to all household wastes in Singapore to recover energy. We have discussed this with MEWR. MEWR also encourages recycling of such food containers. I think in the long run, we will discuss further with MEWR on what are the options and steps that we can take with regard to such food containers.

Ms Ellen Lee: Sir, have there been any cases where AVA has prosecuted hawkers for using plastic and styrofoam food containers in a way that is not desirable, as there has been concern that hawkers themselves may not know how to use them properly and therefore indirectly injure or harm public safety?

Column: 2337

Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman: Sir, I do not have the information on whether the AVA has prosecuted any hawkers. As far as we are aware, hawkers ought to be aware of the appropriate uses of these containers. These containers are actually meant to package the food for the consumers, rather than to be used for heating the food that they are selling.