Final answer: It is true that you should not use food containers for chemicals or use chemical containers for food because of contamination risks and safety concerns in chemistry. Chemical safety practices include avoiding cross-contamination of food and chemical substances to prevent accidents and maintain health.
All chemicals must be properly labeled and stored separate from food, food equipment, and preparation areas. Keep chemicals stored in their original containers and, if transferred to smaller containers or spray bottles, label the new container with the same name.
Materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and certain types of glass are suitable. Carboys, IBCs, or lined drums are often used for these substances. Hazardous Materials: For highly reactive or toxic chemicals, specialized containers are necessary.
Avoid Contamination: Ensure chemicals are not stored in empty food containers to prevent accidental ingestion. Use of PPE: Wear appropriate personal protective equipment when handling chemicals. Correct Disposal: Dispose of chemicals and cleaning equipment properly.
General Storage Requirements
All chemicals must be stored in a safe, secure location. Hazardous chemicals must be stored below eye level. Do not store chemicals on the floor, window ledges, or balconies. Keep containers closed unless you are dispensing a chemical or adding to the container.
Keep storage areas free from clutter, explosives, and flammable conditions. Prevent chemical storage conditions that may encourage rats or pests. Place stored materials at least six feet from hoistways and at least 10 feet from exterior walls. Separate chemicals that cannot be stored together.
Store chemicals away from food storage and contact areas. Chemicals can easily get into food or spill onto food-contact surfaces if they are stored incorrectly. A separate area should be used for chemical storage to make sure your food and equipment stay safe.
Store chemicals away from food and put them back when you are finished using them. Be aware that some people can suffer asthma or allergic reactions from certain types of spray cleaners, perfumes and liquids. Always read and follow label directions and any other usage instructions.
Labels work because it tells what the chemical is, what are the hazards and how you can protect yourself. But the unlabeled container is the culprit!!! Toxic chemicals often lurk in these unlabeled containers which can cause fatal consequences if ingested.
When you store chemicals, the container must: be in a sound condition. safely contain the chemical. be compatible with the chemical.
Store chemicals in the original containers (labeled with instructions and common name) in designated areas separate from food, equipment, linens, and utensils. Space chemicals apart from other items or partition them from other items, and always keep them under food, equipment, utensils, linens, etc., never above.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): Popular for its chemical resistance, durability and versatility, HDPE is used for a wide range of chemicals, including acids, bases and solvents. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): Known for its clarity and strength, PET is commonly used for consumer products.
Safe plastic numbers include 2, 4, and 5. These containers can store food without any toxic chemical infiltration and include the HDPE, LDPE, and PP materials. Containers with the number 7 are made of polycarbonate (the category that includes BPA), so should not be used with food.
However, sodium hypochlorite and some acids cannot be stored in stainless steel containers as they can react with the material. Carbon steel storage containers are used for chemical storage and transportation. They're equally as strong and anti-corrosive as stainless steel, but they tend to cost less.
Among the options A) Labeling containers clearly, B) Storing chemicals in unmarked containers, C) Keeping chemicals in a well-ventilated area, and D) Using appropriate storage containers and cabinets, the one that is NOT a guideline for storage is B) Storing chemicals in unmarked containers.
A food grade shipping container is a container that has met the strict requirements of being able to transport food and plant products intended for human consumption without tainting or damaging the cargo.
Do I Need to Disinfect My Groceries? While you should absolutely wash or use hand sanitizer the minute you leave the grocery store, it's not necessary to wipe down each and every item.
Even the low levels of BPA that leach from consumer plastics, canned food linings or other consumer goods … have been shown to be associated with harm, and people certainly should care about it. “If it's not safe the day you buy it, it's not safe 10 years later,” Vandenberg said.
Safely storing chemicals
Ensure all stored containers are in good condition, closed, and properly labeled. Store all hazardous materials in containers, cabinets, or on shelving compatible with the associated hazard or material. Segregate chemicals by hazard class (flammable liquids, organic acids, oxidizers).
Consumer Reports tested for two chemicals commonly used in plastics — phthalates and bisphenols. They found phthalates in almost every food they tested, and bisphenols in most of them.
Store in a clean, cool, dry space. Some cleaning chemicals can have hazardous reactions when they experience extreme temperature fluctuations or high levels of humidity. Store in well-ventilated areas, away from HVAC intake vents.
The safest container for storing a liquid cleaning chemical is a bottle with a label, which ensures proper identification and safety. Other options, like an empty flour bin, a plastic bowl, or a food storage tote, are not suitable because they are not designed for chemicals and might lead to unsafe situations.
Fundamentals of Hazardous Chemical Storage
OSHA safety standards require all employers to keep storage areas free of hazards, debris, clutter, and other materials that could lead to fire. Furthermore, OSHA recommends placing all hazardous materials at least 10 feet from exterior walls.