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Glass, plastic or aluminium: drinking bottles are made from a variety of materials. What is known about their impact on health?
Large, small, transparent or brightly coloured, with screw-top or sip-top lids – drinking bottles come in many different colours and shapes. There is also a wide variety of materials.
Depending on their intended use, drinking bottles are usually made of plastic, aluminium, stainless steel or glass.
LEGAL REGULATIONS
Regardless of the material used, drinking bottles must comply with the European Union’s (EU) legal requirements for materials in contact with food. Accordingly, no substances may migrate from the materials into food in amounts that would harm consumers’ health. This applies both to plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), and to other materials such as glass, stainless steel, aluminium, ceramics or paper and board.
PLASTIC: MICROPLASTIC CONCERNS UNFOUNDED
Plastic drinking bottles are repeatedly the focus of public attention due to alleged migration of microplastics or chemical substances, such as bisphenol A (BPA), into the liquids they contain.
These concerns are unfounded. To ensure that plastics are safe for human health, there is, at EU level, in addition to the Framework Regulation on Food Contact Materials, the so-called Plastics Regulation, which specifies which substances may be used in the manufacture of food contact materials and under what conditions. It also sets limit values for the migration of these substances into food. Furthermore, a supplementary EU regulation has banned the use of bisphenol A in food contact materials since 2024.
Concerns about significant intake of microplastics via the use of plastic bottles are also unfounded according to current research. The release of microplastics in small amounts is to be expected via mechanical processes such as scratching, tearing or cutting – but not through mere contact with food. Furthermore, there is currently no scientific evidence of a health risk from microplastic particles in plastic bottles. When used as intended, plastic water bottles therefore pose no health risk, regardless of the type of plastic used.
ALUMINIUM: INTACT INTERNAL COATING IS IMPORTANT
As they are very light and robust, aluminium bottles are often popular with hikers and sports enthusiasts. However, aluminium can leach out of the bottles due to the liquids they contain, particularly acidic drinks such as juices or fruit teas. If ingested in large amounts over a prolonged period, aluminium can have adverse effects on the nervous system, kidneys and bones, as well as on the mental and motor development of children.
Care should therefore be taken to ensure that the bottles are coated or anodised on the inside – i.e. chemically treated to make them resistant to corrosion and wear – and that the inner coating is intact.
STAINLESS STEEL: WELL SUITED FOR FOOD
Stainless steel is a very durable material and is frequently used as a food contact material due to its excellent properties. In principle, elements (metals) can migrate from metallic food contact materials into food. However, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment is unaware of any general issues with stainless steel products.
GLASS: CASINGS PROTECT AGAINST BREAKAGE
As a chemically stable material, glass is also highly suitable for food contact. Health risks can primarily arise from splinters or broken bottles. Special sleeves, for example made of cork or silicone, can increase the bottles’ resistance to breakage, making them suitable for use on the go.
PAY ATTENTION TO HYGIENE
All drinking bottles should be cleaned regularly to prevent the growth of harmful germs. A wide opening makes cleaning easier. Whether a bottle can be washed in the dishwasher or is better washed by hand can usually be determined from the symbols on the bottle.
DRINKING BOTTLE TIPS
- When buying bottles, look for the words “suitable for food contact” or the glassand- fork symbol (labelling for food contact materials)
- Bottles should not alter the smell or taste of the drink – leave “smelly” products on the shelf
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding use (suitable for microwaves?), cleaning (dishwasher-safe?) and suitable foods
- Clean regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria
- Dispose of if there is significant damage to the inside
