Question from Linda
Hi Debra, I’ve been searching tetra paks to see if they’re a non-toxic alternative to canned soups (I can find a lot of soups in the organic section in tetra paks). I can’t find any information on toxicity levels though, whether something nasty is going to be leaching into my food from these. Can you help? Thanks!
Debra’s Answer
Tetra Pak is a brand name for aseptic packaging.
Aseptic packages are made with three materials:
According to the Aseptic Packaging Council the polyethylene layer next to the food is low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Also according to the Aseptic packaging council the LDPE has been tested and found to not contain bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol, and phthalates.
A couple of weeks ago, in Q&A: Food Grade Polyethylene Containers a reader wrote, “We are a tiny manufacture (>50K) of a liquid organic product. Some of our product was stored in high-density polyethylene food grade containers, while another batch was stored in low-density polyethylene, food grade containers. All the product in in HDP containers was ruined. The product in the LDP is fine.”
So I don’t see a danger to health from aseptic boxes for food or beverages.
There are some other benefits too.
Curious about what you think of Ela’s post: http://www.elaharrison.com/blog/item/when-ignorance-was-bliss-a-look-at-tetra-pak
I’m totally with her concern. She’s absolutely correct in her evaluation.
This is precisely why I now I eating ONLY foods I have prepared myself from fresh ingredients or are packaged in glass. But fresh ingredients are the best choice. And I’ll have more to say about this coming up in January.