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Introduction
Deciding on the right packaging for our product is a crucial choice that can affect your baby's well-being, safety, and the environment. Though single-use plastic pouches have become a go-to for convenience, this article will delve into our thought process when opting for glass jars as our packaging choice.
Safety
When it comes to baby food, safety is of utmost importance. Glass containers are a safe option as they do not contain harmful chemicals like Bisphenol-A (BPA) or phthalates, which are often present in plastic products. These chemicals can seep into the baby food when exposed to heat or over time, posing potential health hazards.
What about polypropylene (PP)? Many of today's baby food pouches employ retort packaging, with PP serving as the primary material for the food-contact layer. While PP is believed to be safer than other plastics due to its lack of harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates, recent research has shown otherwise.
A study by Environmental Science & Technology found that some products made from PP affected androgen hormones and caused toxic or stress responses in cells. Shockingly, out of 191 chemical contents extracted from five samples, only 24% were identified. This highlights that most chemicals found in plastics cannot be recognised and, therefore, remain unidentified. This presents a problem for plastic manufacturers, public health officials, and researchers because the potential health risks of these unknown compounds cannot be evaluated.
Another study in Spain investigated the migration of chemicals in twenty-six PP films used as food contact materials and identified seventy-six compounds. Most of the chemicals were non-intentionally added substances, resulting from the degradation of additives or impurities during manufacturing. Unfortunately, as in the case of many studies, there was no report about the total number of detected chemicals found; hence, it becomes challenging to determine how much we do not know concerning plastic's chemical composition.
In my time working in the pharmaceutical industry, I have noticed a trend. When more advanced and sophisticated separation columns are introduced, it often leads to the discovery of new impurities. For instance, a drug that previously had four known impurities ten years ago may now reveal two or three previously unknown impurities. These new impurities are given the lowest possible limit until they undergo comprehensive safety studies. This is done to establish justifiable higher limits. Therefore, any newly discovered impurity is assumed to be unsafe until it is proven to be safe.
When sterilising baby food, temperatures can reach between 115 and 127 °C, raising concerns about the safety of plastic pouches used to store the food. Because the food is in constant contact with the container during storage, there is a risk of known and unknown chemicals seeping into the food. This is particularly concerning for infants and toddlers, who may receive higher concentrations of these chemicals due to their smaller body weight. Additionally, their underdeveloped liver and kidneys may not be able to eliminate these substances from their bodies effectively. This can be especially harmful as their developing organs and nervous system are more vulnerable to the potential adverse effects of these chemicals.
Glass containers may become a more popular choice for parents who want to ensure the purity and safety of their baby's food. The inert nature of glass containers can provide peace of mind and reassurance that their little one is being nourished without any unnecessary exposure to harmful substances.
Recyclability (new)
The current glass recycling rate worldwide stands at approximately 50%, as stated in the Climate Technology Centre & Network of the United Nations report. However, this percentage varies significantly depending on the country and the type of glass. In Europe, efficient large-scale recycling systems for glass have been in operation since the 1970s. In fact, an impressive 7 out of every 10 glass bottles are collected for recycling within the European Union, with 90% of them being transformed back into new bottles through a closed-loop production system.
Most plastic packaging is made from seven distinct types of plastic that are largely incompatible with one another. This makes recycling difficult, and only 9% of plastic waste is recycled. Even when plastics are recycled, the quality of the material decreases due to the reduction in length of the polymer chains, which is known as 'downcycling'. This results in a lower quality product and, hence, fewer uses. Eventually, it will become a waste item that can't be recycled further. In contrast, glass has the unique ability to be recycled 100% without any loss in quality, allowing for the same product to be produced repeatedly.
Baby food pouches, also known as retort pouches, are made up of multiple materials, including polypropylene (food contact layer), polyester, nylon, and aluminium which are laminated together. This makes it impossible to recycle them without separating the materials first. Unfortunately, the separation process requires expensive and specialised techniques. As a result, only a few recycling companies worldwide accept these plastic pouches, leaving many regions unable to recycle them. This is a major issue for parents as they have no choice but to dispose of these pouches since they cannot be reused.
Environmental Impact
The energy consumption is measured in megajoules (MJ) and includes all stages, from raw material production to transportation. When comparing a 12-ounce bottle, a glass bottle requires 6.57 MJ, while a PET bottle only needs 3.75 MJ. Nevertheless, recycling glass leads to approximately 40% energy savings for each subsequent tonne of glass produced, and the necessary raw materials are readily available. On the other hand, reusing glass bottles and jars requires no energy whatsoever.
When glass is left in the natural environment, it is less likely to cause pollution than plastic. However, it can take up to one million years to decompose. Plastics, on the other hand, do not fully decompose; rather, they break down into microplastics, releasing harmful chemicals into the environment. Microplastics have been detected in various ecosystems, including oceans, rainwater, and even our food sources.
The UN's Environment Programme has raised concerns about the trends related to plastics. Plastic production has surpassed other materials, and almost all single-use plastic products come from fossil fuels. Today, we produce about 400 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, surpassing the weight of the entire human population.
Despite this, many products continue to rely on the myth of recycling, which, in its current form, does little to alleviate the mounting plastics crisis and has been accused of deceiving consumers through greenwashing. "The real solution is to switch to systems of reuse and refill," said Lisa Ramsden, Greenpeace USA Senior Plastics Campaigner. However, as mentioned earlier, baby food pouches can't be reused, rendering them incapable of contributing to the "reuse and refill" solution.
What factors do we consider in our decision-making process?
In terms of safety, recyclability, and reusability, glass emerges as the clear winner. When comparing a single glass jar to a single pouch without reuse, plastic wins over glass in this aspect. Therefore, there is no clear winner between glass and plastic.
At Little Judah, the safety and health of your child is our utmost priority. While plastic containers may still be suitable for dry food items like puff products, they are not appropriate for ready-to-eat products. These products are in constant contact with their packaging and undergo sterilisation at high temperatures, which increases the risk of chemicals leaching into baby food if pouches are utilised.
We do not take any chances when it comes to your little one's well-being and are dedicated to offering parents secure solutions. In a world where we are surrounded by harmful chemicals like pesticides and endocrine disruptors, it is crucial to minimise exposure, particularly when it comes to babies who are more susceptible than adults.
As parents ourselves, we truly understand the weight of responsibilities of parenthood, especially when it comes to making decisions about what goes into our children's bodies. That's why at Little Judah, we have made the conscious choice to serve our products in glass jars. This decision not only upholds our commitment towards safety and quality but also provides you reassurance by safeguarding your little ones' well-being. We're excited to make a meaningful impact and would love for you to join us on this journey!