For Immediate Release

Contact: Ralph Vasami
Kellen Company
rvasami@kellencompany.com
212-297-2125

PET Resin Plastics Safe for Food and Beverage Packaging

PET does not contain Bisphenol A

New York, NY (April 28, 2008) – PETRA, the trade association of North American PET resin manufacturers, offers the following points of clarification on the safety of PET plastic bottles and containers in view of the recent increased attention and concern surrounding plastics and Bisphenol A (BPA).  PET (polyethylene terephthalate) does not contain BPA nor is BPA used in the manufacture of PET. 

PET is a high clarity, low weight, durable and low cost plastic.  Containers made from PET are marked with a resin identification code of #1 for recycling.  Because of its extremely favorable combination of properties, PET has become the material of choice for convenience-size beverage bottles in the carbonated soft drink and water industry.  PET is accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a safe packaging material for food, beverages and pharmaceutical products.  Concerning the recent attention focused on BPA and confusing or inaccurate statements that have been in the press and on television about plastics, resin identification codes, and water bottles, PETRA offers the following statement:

Fact:    PET does not contain BPA and BPA is not used in PET’s manufacture.   PET, which is used in light-weight food packaging, in particular single use water and soft drink bottles, does not contain BPA.    
PET has been demonstrated through extensive studies to be safe for use in food packaging and has been safely used for that purpose for decades all around the world.  PET complies with food contact requirements of regulatory bodies that regulate or control food contact materials including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada, and the European Union Commission.  For more information, please visit www.petresin.org.

About PETRA:

PETRA is the trade association of North American PET resin manufacturers. The association is dedicated to promoting the growth of PET products and representing North American PET resin producers.  PETRA follows industry issues and educates the public on the benefits and values of PET resin products.