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BPA-Free Dining: Healthier Alternatives for Your Restaurant and Café

Views: 0     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2024-10-22      Origin: Site

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Discover the reasons for choosing BPA-free dining for restaurants and cafés. Know the healthier alternatives to save food, reputation, and environment together.


Everyone loves to try all the different foods and dishes in restaurants and café now and then. They are great places to relax and socialize outside the house. It's mandatory to serve not only delicious foods but also provide healthy meals. And serving healthy eatables starts with choosing safe dining options.

BPA plastic contamination goes well beyond health concerns, as it affects environmental sustenance and even the taste/odor. Therefore, restaurant/café owners must opt for BPA-free dining to avoid hazardous situations. And this comprehensive guide is ready to help with the what, how, and why of no-BPA dining for cafés and restaurants.


Dangers of BPA in Food Service

Knowing the basics is vital to get going. It also covers the definition of BPA, its problems with human health, and its standard regulations.


What is BPA?

BPA, short for Bisphenol A, is a widely used synthetic chemical for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin production. It's frequently found in food-service products, ranging from plastic containers to water bottles and can linings.

Disposable plastic food containers used in food trucks often contain BPA.


BPA Leaching into Food and Beverages

The chemical leaches from serving/containing products into foods/liquids, mostly when the containers are exposed to heated or acidic substances.

For example, microwaving meals in plastic containers or storing acidic foods in BPA cans triggers BPA release. Once ingested, BPA enters the body to mimic estrogen, altering the functions of the hormone.


Health Effects of BPA

In recent years, BPA dining has become a subject of food safety. Continuous exposure to BPA has been linked to several potential health issues. Some of the most concerning effects include –

a. Hormonal Disruption – BPA's ability to mimic estrogen leads to hormonal imbalance, heavily affecting reproductive health and development in females.

b. Developmental Problems – Prenatal and early-life BPA contamination is linked to growth problems in children, including altered brain development.

c. Risk of Chronic Diseases – Studies suggest a correlation between BPA and risks of diseases. Diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases can occur.

d. Metabolic Disorders – Scientific findings even suggested a potential contribution to weight gain from metabolic disturbances through disrupted endocrine.


Latest Research and Regulatory Changes

An increasing number of research continues to highlight the dangers of BPA, especially focusing on its long-term effects on human health. Studies have already revealed that even low-level BPA exposure can lead to adverse outcomes, prompting countries and organizations to reassess this chemical for foods.

Therefore, several regulatory changes have been implemented worldwide. The European Union lowered the specific migration limit (SML) for plastic in food materials. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups, though it still allows BPA in other food-related applications.

bpa_timeline


Why You Should Use BPA-Free Products for Restaurants and Café?

As mentioned already, the chemical exerts a negative impact on public health. But there's more to address while choosing zero-BPA dining options, including –

1. Safe Serving to Customers

Using BPA-free tableware and containers in restaurants/cafés is crucial to prioritize the health and safety of customers. No-BPA packaging demonstrates the commitment to customers' well-being to build trust and loyalty.

2. Promoting Sustainability

Switching to BPA-free alternatives means an emphasis on eco-friendly materials like biodegradable plastics, glass, or stainless steel. They are much safer options in terms of supporting a sustainable environment.

Sustainable restaurants use environmentally friendly disposable food packaging and tableware.

3. Eco-Friendly Reputation

Consumers are getting more concerned about the environment and health. More people seek businesses to prioritize eco-friendliness. BPA-free products align the brand with the values of conscious customers.

4. Least Environmental Impact

Disposable food packaging of BPA plastic directly pollutes waste for oceans and landscapes. As the plastics break down, harmful chemicals are released into ecosystems, affecting wildlife by contaminating soil and water. BPA-free tableware and containers mean direct participation in mitigating long-lasting environmental pollution.


Safe BPA-Free Alternatives for Restaurants and Cafés

To actively contribute to a healthier future, restaurants and cafés are now making the switch to healthy alternatives. These BPA-free materials can be disposable or non-disposable options to help with safe, sustainable, and eco-friendly serving of eatables.

1. Bagasse

It's a disposable option, a biodegradable product made from leftover sugarcane pulps. Compostable bagasse tableware has become a popular choice for disposable food containers. Biodegradable bagasse products are not only strong enough to be used, but also reduce waste and support the circular economy. Bagasse cups can hold hot and cold beverages.

Various styles and sizes of bagasse cups with lids.

2. Bamboo

The eco-friendly choice comes from a renewable resource that offers disposable containers or reusable tableware. Its plant based packaging comes with built-in antibacterial properties. This BPA free containers are biodegradable and compostable and will not pollute the environment.

3. Paper

Paper and/or cardboard are commonly used in the food industry for takeout packages. Only the ones sourced from sustainable forests without harmful chemical treatments are safe and BPA-free. These disposable materials can be easily branded and customized, which goes a long way in increasing brand awareness.

4. Wood

It's a natural and renewable material that's safe and sustainable altogether. Wood with no chemical finishing can craft disposable cutlery and/or reusable trays/boards. Quality wooden food containers can bring rustic elegance and enhance the dining experience.

5. PLA (Polylactic Acid)

These biodegradable products seem like a direct alternative to plastic. It's made from fermented starch (usually corn). PLA's applications are on the rise in compostable food packaging and utensils. PLA is commonly used in cups, containers and utensils as a direct replacement for plastic products. These food service products can be decomposed under industrial composting conditions, contributing to sustainability.

Restaurants use disposable pla containers to pack takeout food.

6. Glass

It has been one of the safest materials as BPA-free containers for water. The zero-BPA material is also durable and non-toxic. It doesn't leach chemicals into food even when it's heated. Reusable glass containers are one of the safest packaging materials available. However, due to their weight and fragility, they are not suitable for packing or takeaway services.

7. Stainless Steel

It's another long-lasting BPA-free material widely used in modern food service products. Steel is safe for both hot and cold conditions without releasing any harmful chemicals.

8. Clay/Ceramic

These traditional materials are also BPA-free alternatives that have been in use for centuries. BPA-free containers for food with ceramics possess no risk of chemical contamination.

For disposable dining, biodegradable materials are the best options. Reusing non-disposable materials should help with long-term value in the business.


How to Implement BPA-Free Practice in Restaurants and Café?

Transitioning to BPA-free products surely adds noteworthy feathers to the restaurant and café establishment. It promotes sustainability while aligning the brand with eco-friendly practices.

Making conscious decisions about the materials associated with food service, packaging, and/or storage should provide a good start. And the step-by-step guide to implementing a BPA-free practice involves –

Step 1: Auditing Current Inventory

Identifying all the BPA-containing products is the foremost thing to do. Look for polycarbonate plastics (recycling code #7) or epoxy resin linings mainly containing BPA. Then, it's time to compile a list of no-BPA alternatives. Create a separate item list for each material (glass, steel, bamboo, bagasse, or PLA).

Review of food packaging of different materials in restaurants.

Image source: Printonshanghai

Step 2: BPA-Free Packs/Containers

Start replacing traditional plastic containers, cups, or cutlery with compostable alternatives. Switch to BPA-free options for food storage and takeout. Prioritize reusable materials like glass containers, stainless steel, or paper/cardboard. Select non-plastic linings for canned goods or other lined containers.

Step 3: Revise Supplier Contracts

Contact all the suppliers to ensure they provide BPA-free alternatives. Discuss switching to disposable containers, storage materials, and kitchen tools. If they can't offer BPA-free products, find new vendors who specialize in sourcing no-BPA materials. But it's a must to ensure the suppliers meet the business quality and quantity requirements.

Step 4: Staff on BPA-Free Practices

Train the café/restaurant staff on the importance of BPA-free practices. Teaching them how to recognize, handle, and use newly introduced BPA-free materials is essential. Also, sharing the benefits of BPA-free products with the employees can help them understand health and environmental concerns.

Training employees on food packaging.

Step 5: Promote BPA-Free Alternatives

Let the customers know about the intention, plan, or practice of going BPA-free. With disposable and reusable options in use. Highlight those items on the menu to encourage customers towards healthier choices. Incentives like discounts to prefer eco-friendly/reusable tools also work on many occasions.

Step 6: BPA-Free Commitments

Advertising the transition to BPA-free materials on websites, social media, and in-store signs is also important. This simple marketing commitment can enhance the restaurant/café reputation. Keep it easy for customers to recognize BPA-free products with clear labels and/or pursued certifications.

It's not necessary to implement/replace BPA-free practices in the restaurant or café by breaking the bank. Instead, gradually embrace non-BPA dining while encouraging customers to go green.

Picture-7: Using BPA-Free Certification for Restaurant/Café Products


FAQs

1. Are BPA-free plastics safe in the food industry?

BPA-free doesn't mean safe, healthy, or eco-friendly right away. Several BPA substitutes are just as bad as BPA. Avoid BPS and/or BPF (Bisphenol S/F) plastics.

2. How do we recognize BPA-free dining products?

The most reliable way is to check out plastic identification code numbers, usually stamped on the bottom. Numbers 1 to 6 are BPA-free, whereas stamps with 7 contain the chemical. However, numbers 3 and 6 may contain BPA to some extent, as found in several cases.

Picture-8: Number #7 to Indicate the Presence of BPA

3. What is the safest disposable food container?

The safest disposable food containers are made of compostable, plant-based materials. Examples include bagasse food containers and cups. Storing food in these containers doesn't leak any toxins.


Conclusion

BPA is still in use across many food service products. However, its potential to leach into food to cause health issues continues to raise concern. Choosing BPA-free alternatives is a smart decision and an important step towards corporate social responsibility. SUMKOKA stands with your thoughts and plans of going BPA-free for your restaurant or café business. Let your business lead the way to safe and sustainable food containers to benefit the customers and the reputation.


Invest in the Best BPA-Free Dining Alternatives with All-Natural SUMKOKA Products!

You must choose the right dining alternatives based on your business strategy, capability, and menu. And the most suitable items and their required numbers significantly vary with everything involved. Sumkoka offers safe, BPA-free sustainable disposable bagasse food packaging, including bagasse food containers, bagasse straws, and sugarcane cups. Whether you're a restaurant, cafe, or flexible food truck, we can customize the best product for your business. Don't fall back to Contact Us right now to receive insightful suggestions on how to do so.



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Hefei Sumkoka Environmental Technology Co.,Ltd. was founded in 2012 and we are China professional manufacturer that produces disposable environmentally friendly bagasse tableware.

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