Polystyrene has been used for foodservice packaging—foam coffee cups, salad bar takeout containers, hot noodle cups and more—for more than five decades. Polystyrene has been reviewed by regulatory agencies (including U.S. FDA) that have deemed it safe for use in contact with food.

Public health officials also have recognized the important sanitary benefits of these disposable foodservice products, particularly in settings such as hospitals, schools, nursing homes, cafeterias, and restaurants where it is critical that the foodservice ware in contact with food be clean and hygienic.

For More Information:

• Q & A: Safety of Polystyrene Foodservice Products
• FDA: Safety of Polystyrene Foodservice Products
• Harvard Study: Safety of Polystyrene Foodservice Products
• National Toxicology Program: Safety of Polystyrene Foodservice Products
• California’s Prop 65: Status of Proposed Listing of Styrene
• Styrene, Polystyrene Foodservice Packaging and Prop 65 Q & A
• Sanitation and Hygiene