Does milk packaging contain any harmful chemicals?

Nowadays, the majority of milk sold in Ireland comes in a recyclable plastic container or carton. The plastic containers are most commonly made from high density polyethylene (HDPE). Milk cartons for refrigeration are mainly made from paper, in the form of cardboard, as well as thin layers of the same plastic, polyethylene.

This plastic is made from substances that are authorised for use in food contact materials. It protects the food, is lightweight and recyclable. The European Food Safety Authority is responsible for assessing the safety of substances used to make food contact materials and based on the current risk assessment, polyethylene is safe.

Extra Information:

Plastic containers are marked with a resin identification code (RIC) to signify the type of plastic used. The RIC for HDPE is a triangular symbol of arrows with a number 2 in the centre. These codes help to sort the different plastics to help recycling.