Short answer: a plastic container is food safe when its label, its documents and its conditions of use all confirm it. The container or its packaging shows the words “for food contact” or the glass and fork symbol. The supplier also confirms compliance in a written declaration.
A recycling code on its own does not prove that plastic containers are food grade. This guide first summarizes the EU rules on food contact plastics and their Turkish counterparts, which apply in Dipack's home market. It then lists the documents a business should request from its supplier.
How to tell if a plastic container is food safe
Do not rely on a single mark; run a four-step check instead. Look at the label first, then the documents, then the conditions of use and finally the physical state of the container.
- Label: the words “for food contact”, a statement of intended use or the glass and fork symbol.
- Documents: the supplier's written declaration of compliance and, for containers made in Turkey, the manufacturer's registration number.
- Conditions of use: the food type, maximum temperature and contact time stated in the declaration.
- Physical state: no cracks, scratches, warping or discoloration.
If any of these steps is missing, do not treat the container as food safe. In wholesale buying, the declaration is stronger evidence than the label, because it also states the conditions under which the container was tested.
Which regulations apply to food contact plastics in the EU and Turkey?
In the EU, two regulations govern plastic food containers. Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 sets the general rules for all food contact materials. Regulation (EU) 10/2011 adds limits specific to plastics and a list of authorized substances.
Turkey is Dipack's home market, and it applies a matching pair of texts under the Turkish Food Codex. Turkish authorities drafted both in line with EU law, so the same logic applies to containers exported to the EU.
| Topic | EU regulation | Turkish counterpart |
|---|---|---|
| General framework | Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 | Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Gıda ile Temas Eden Madde ve Malzemelere Dair Yönetmelik), Official Gazette of April 5, 2018, No 30382 |
| Rules specific to plastics | Regulation (EU) 10/2011 | Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food, No 2019/44 (Gıda ile Temas Eden Plastik Madde ve Malzemeler Tebliği), Official Gazette of December 25, 2019, No 30989 (supplementary issue) |
| Food simulants for migration testing | Regulation (EU) 10/2011 and Directive 85/572/EEC | Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on the List of Food Simulants Used in Migration Testing of Plastic Materials and Articles, No 2019/43, Official Gazette of December 25, 2019 |
| Manufacturer registration and good manufacturing practice | Regulation (EC) 2023/2006 | Regulation on the Registration of Businesses Producing Food Contact Materials and Articles and on Good Manufacturing Practices, Official Gazette of August 3, 2012, No 28373 |
In Turkey, Amendment No 2023/33 to the plastics Communiqué appeared in the Official Gazette on May 6, 2024, and set January 1, 2026 as the compliance date. A supplier's declaration should therefore refer to the current text.
What does the glass and fork symbol mean?
The glass and fork symbol is the official mark showing that a material is intended for contact with food. Article 15 of EU Regulation 1935/2004 puts it on an equal footing with the words “for food contact” and with indications of use such as “soup spoon”; Article 13 of the Turkish regulation does the same. Any one of the three is enough.
However, the symbol is not mandatory on every container. The same article does not require it for products that are clearly intended for food. So do not reject an unmarked meal container straight away; check its documents.
A crossed-out glass and fork symbol does not appear in the annex of either regulation. Even so, some manufacturers use it to show that a product is not for food; do not put food in such a container.
Does a recycling code mean the plastic is food safe?
No. The number inside the triangle on the bottom of a container only tells you the type of plastic: 1 is PET and 5 is PP, for example. Food safety depends on whether the plastic is made from authorized substances and stays within the migration limits.
A paint bucket with the same “5” code is therefore no substitute for a food container. The table below sets out what each mark on a container proves and what it does not.
| Mark or document | What it tells you | What it does not tell you |
|---|---|---|
| Glass and fork symbol | The material is made for food contact | At what temperature and with which food it may be used |
| “For food contact” wording | Same meaning as the symbol | Limits of use |
| Recycling code (1, 5, etc.) | The type of plastic | Food safety |
| Microwave symbol | The manufacturer's microwave instructions | It does not replace a compliance document |
| Declaration of compliance | Legal compliance, food type, temperature and time | Whether the user follows the instructions |
| BRCGS certificate | The plant's packaging safety management system | The migration result of a single product |
What is migration, and what are the limits?
Migration is the transfer of substances from plastic into food during contact. EU Regulation 10/2011 and the Turkish Communiqué limit this transfer in two ways: overall migration and specific migration.
The overall migration limit is 10 milligrams per square decimeter of food contact surface (10 mg/dm²). For materials in contact with food for infants and young children, the limit is 60 mg/kg. Article 12 of EU Regulation 10/2011 sets this 10 mg/dm² value, and the Turkish Communiqué uses the same figure.
A specific migration limit applies to a single substance. The regulations express it in milligrams per kilogram of food (mg/kg). Annex I of Regulation 10/2011 sets this value separately for each substance it restricts, and Annex 1 of the Turkish Communiqué does the same.
How does the type of food change the migration test?
Laboratories usually test with food simulants instead of real food. Regulation 10/2011 and Turkish Communiqué No 2019/43 group these simulants by whether the food is aqueous, acidic, alcoholic, fatty or dry. A test for cold meze (appetizers) therefore does not automatically cover a hot, oily meal.
| Food property | Food simulant | Composition |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous (hydrophilic) food | A | 10% ethanol solution |
| Acidic food (pH below 4.5) | B | 3% acetic acid solution |
| Food with up to 20% alcohol | C | 20% ethanol solution |
| Food with more than 20% alcohol, oil-in-water emulsions | D1 | 50% ethanol solution |
| Food with free fat on the surface | D2 | Vegetable oil |
| Dry food (specific migration test) | E | Poly(2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide) |
When you request a quote, tell the supplier whether your product is aqueous, acidic or fatty. This way you know from the start whether the declaration covers your food.
What is a declaration of compliance for food contact plastics?
A declaration of compliance (DoC) is a written statement in which the manufacturer confirms that the container meets food contact legislation. In the EU, Article 16 of Regulation 1935/2004 makes it mandatory, and Annex IV of Regulation 10/2011 lists its contents. In Turkey, Article 14 of the regulation and Annex 3 of the Communiqué set the same requirements.
- Name and address of the business issuing the declaration
- Product name, key characteristics and date of the declaration
- The legal provisions on which compliance is based
- Specific migration information for restricted substances
- Types of food the container will contact
- Contact time, temperature and storage conditions
- The highest surface-to-volume ratio for which compliance was verified
If the composition or production of the container changes in a way that affects migration, the manufacturer renews the declaration. Before you accept an older declaration, check its product code and date.
Why do temperature and conditions of use matter?
Food contact compliance is not unlimited; it applies only to the food type, temperature and time stated in the declaration. For example, a container tested for cold meze is not approved for hot filling.
As a general rule, PP withstands heat and stands out for hot meals. PET, on the other hand, suits cold food and clear display presentation. For a detailed comparison of the two materials, see our PP vs PET guide.
Turkey's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry also advises following the microwave, maximum temperature and dishwasher instructions on the product. Otherwise, the plastic structure weakens and more substances can migrate into the food.
What documents should a business request from its supplier?
A business buying containers wholesale should request at least the declaration of compliance, the conditions of use and the manufacturer's registration details. The list below shows the documents your supplier file should contain.
- Declaration of compliance: specific to the product code, dated and referring to current legislation.
- Conditions of use: food type, maximum temperature, contact time and microwave instructions.
- Business registration number: the Turkish regulation requires this number to accompany the product.
- Migration test summary: the test conditions and results behind the declaration.
- Plant certificate: packaging safety certificates such as BRCGS Packaging Materials.
- Batch information: the production batch on the carton label, for traceability.
If you supply a supermarket chain or sell abroad, keep this file in your own food safety records. During an audit, you can then quickly show where the container came from and that it complies.
Can you reuse single-use plastic food containers?
Not as sales packaging. Article 21 of the Turkish regulation treats plastic packaging that protects food on the market and touches it directly as single-use. The only exception is the plastic water jug (carboy) whose structure does not change and that meets hygiene requirements.
For consumers, too, the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry advises against reusing single-use plastics again and again, because washing and heat weaken the surface. Never use containers that show cracks, scratches, yellowing or warping.
Food contact compliance at Dipack
Dipack thermoforms containers from food-contact PET and PP raw material at its BRCGS-certified plant in Dursunbey (Balıkesir). It builds its molds in its own tool shop and also produces custom containers with customer-specific molds.
For hot service, PP hot food containers are the main choice; for raw meat and supermarket counters, meat trays built for the cold chain fit best. For cold meze and salads, use leak-proof containers and salad containers.
When you request a quote, ask for the compliance documents and conditions of use along with the product codes. That way, you base your decision on samples and documents. For the full product range, see the Dipack catalog.
Request compliance documents with your quote. Tell us your product, serving temperature and sales channel; our team will send a quote and samples with a suitable PP or PET container recommendation.
Request a quote on WhatsApp Contact formFood grade plastic: frequently asked questions
Which plastics are food safe?
The type of plastic alone does not decide it. PET and PP, for example, both come in grades made for food; the label and the declaration of compliance show whether a given container complies.
Is #5 PP plastic food safe?
PP is a common, heat-resistant material for food containers. Still, the “5” code alone is not proof, because the container should also carry the food contact wording or symbol and be backed by the supplier's declaration.
What is the food safe symbol on plastic?
The official mark is the glass and fork symbol. The words “for food contact” or an indication of use such as “soup spoon” carry the same meaning.
What does a crossed-out glass and fork symbol mean?
The manufacturer uses it to show that the product is not intended for food contact. The symbol is not in the annex of the regulation, but do not use such a container for food.
Is it safe to reuse a single-use PET container for food?
Turkey's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry advises against it, because washing and heat weaken single-use plastic. For businesses, the Turkish regulation treats plastic packaging that protects food as single-use.
What should I check when buying plastic food containers?
Check four points: the food contact wording or symbol, the declaration of compliance, the temperature and food conditions in the declaration, and an undamaged container. In wholesale buying, also match the document to the product code.
Do PP and PET containers contain BPA?
According to EFSA, BPA is used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. PET and PP do not belong to this group; in addition, the EU banned BPA in food contact materials with Regulation (EU) 2024/3190.
Who should provide the declaration of compliance?
Ask the company that manufactures or imports the container. If you buy from a wholesaler, request the manufacturer's declaration and match it to the product code.
