How can you tell which brute cans are food safe?

[ZoaFan08]

Bought some today and on the bottom it said 'Food; White, Yellow, Grey' and I bought a grey one..

 

[Logzor]

I am sure all of the brutes available at stores are food safe. In fact it is probably more safe than the plastics we eat and drink from!

 

[Flipper62]

There is a symbol on the bottom of the container that will tell you if its food safe....I'm not sure of the symbol....but here is a link to all of the plastics, Food Safe...or NOT

http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/plastics.html#foodgrade

 

[ZoaFan08]

Mine have a 4..

LDPE (low density polyethylene) offers clarity and flexibility. It is used to make bottles that require flexibility. To take advantage of its strength and toughness in film form, it is used to produce grocery bags and garbage bags, shrink and stretch film, and coating for milk cartons.

 

[sminker]

as long as the can is labeled "Rubbermaid Brute" then you are good to go. There is only one Brute trashcan. they come in different colors but are all made out of the same material.

 

[will16]

The different colors do mean different things. I saw this somewhere the other day. Can't find it now. I think it was the blue and one other color that was not food grade. Think it was red? Grey is safe

 

[Tswifty]

HDPE (2) and LDPE (4) are the food safe ones I know of.

Here's a nice chart I found.

http://www.ides.com/resources/plastic-recycling-codes.asp

 

[AZDesertRat]

For something to be recognized as "food safe" in the US it must meet one of the following standards depending on its intended use.
http://www.nsf.org/business/search_listings/

In our case usually its NSF/ANSI Std 61, Drinking Water Components.

 

[ZoaFan08]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13602709#post13602709 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sminker
as long as the can is labeled "Rubbermaid Brute" then you are good to go. There is only one Brute trashcan. they come in different colors but are all made out of the same material.

Wrong, the Rubbermaid Brute green trascans are NOT food safe, the color will leach into the water.

 

[brynkal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13604187#post13604187 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ZoaFan08
Wrong, the Rubbermaid Brute green trascans are NOT food safe, the color will leach into the water.

Do you know this from experience, or did you read it somewhere? We bought the green one, I haven't noticed any color leaching, but would sure like to know if it's likely!

 

[ZoaFan08]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13604218#post13604218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brynkal
Do you know this from experience, or did you read it somewhere? We bought the green one, I haven't noticed any color leaching, but would sure like to know if it's likely!

On the bottom of my can it says which color are food safe and not food safe. Under food safe it list 3-4 colors, and under not food safe it listed 'all other colors'. Green was not listed under food safe. I asked the Home Depot guy and he said green and one other color were not food safe because of leaching, he looked it up.

 

[sminker]

i would like to see water tests.

i bet you wouldnt see any increase in TDS readings between either color.

 

[AZDesertRat]

You might be surprised. Even color changing DI resins register higher TDS than non color changing due to the slight amount of dyes in them. DI water is extremely agressive and will pull things out you would not believe.

 

[brynkal]

Well, I sent an email to Rubbermaid:

On your website, in the description for the 32-gallon Brute container, it states "All colors are NSF/USDA Approved for food contact and NSF tested/certified."

But, we have heard that only the white, gray, and yellow containers are foodsafe. We are using a green 32-gallon Brute for storing/mixing our synthetic saltwater for our reef tank, and have been told by other reef keepers that the green is definitely not foodsafe. PLEASE let us know, whether safe or not!

and they replied:

I looked into your question and it looks like you are correct.

Gray, White and Yellow are USDA Meat & Poultry Equipment Group Listed and assist in complying with HACCP guidelines.
Certified to NSF Standard #2 (gray, white and yellow) and Standard #21 (gray, white, yellow, blue, red and black).

We will have to look at our web site and see if we have to make those changes.

So, green is out (at least for Brute containers and reef tanks)!

 

[golfish]

Zoa, I have 2 x 60 gal drums sitting in the back of my truck. Its amazing how many people flake out on picking up almost free stuff.. These are food safe, they just need a good baking soda soak. your more then welcome to em...free for locals

I'm around 19th and Hermosa. PM me for info

 

[ZoaFan08]

Sorry to hear about that brynkal but at least you were able to figure that out before something bad happened.

 

[Nuuze]

Really? I thought they were. Until now...

 

[ZoaFan08]

Not sure what you are trying to show in the pics... Maybe its just late but can we get some info?

 

[Nuuze]

I meant, I thought all the Brutes were safe. Bottom pic in the corner has the NSF rating stamp.

 

[ZoaFan08]

Ahh ok . I spent 5 minutes looking at picture expecting to find something wrong lol.