King Saud Medical City has revealed how to read and interpret the symbols on food packaging and how to use these symbols to ensure the safety of the products inside such packages and their fitness for health.
The city stressed the need to know these symbols, the most important of which are:
The “cup and fork” symbol: It means that care should be taken when using plastic food packaging containing this brand.
Number 1 in the center of the arrow triangle: It means that the packaging is safe for one-time use only and is not reused, as it is used in packaging (water, juices, nutritional drinks and some foods).
Number 4 in the center of the arrow triangle: It means that the packaging is of a relatively safe type for health, and is used in plastic bags used for placing items and grocery shopping, and in some plastic materials for storing frozen food, and is easy to fold.
Microwave icon: It means the package is safe to use and the microwave gets hot.
Symbol “Number 2 in the center of the arrow triangle”: It means that the packaging is a type of plastic that is safe for human health, especially the transparent ones, and is used in milk packaging and some juice packaging.
Symbol 5 in the center of the arrow triangle: It means that the packaging is the best and safest type for health, it is used in food containers, especially for children, and is suitable for hot and cold liquids and foods.
Crossbones symbol: It means that the packaging can be used for refrigeration or freezing.
Symbol “3 in the center of the arrow triangle”: It means that the packaging is noxious and toxic when used for a long time, and it is used in some kinds of clear plastic for packaging meat, cheese and some baby toys, and you need to pay attention to the use because it is widely spread type due of its low price.
Number 6 in the center of the arrow triangle: It means that the packaging is dangerous and unsafe and should be kept under control, and is often used in fast food restaurants such as burger boxes or pizza boxes and “cork-like” hot drink glasses.
Number 7 in the center of the arrow triangle: It means that this substance should be avoided as much as possible, unless it is told that it is BPA-free, and is used in baby feeding, and you need to make sure that the packaging is transparent and contains the written (BPA-free bottle) written on it.
