Glass – healthier way to store foods
View(s):A key manufacturer in the glass industry has come forward together with government agencies to campaign for the use of glass bottles for safety and health concerns related to storage of foods. Piramal Glass CEO Sanjay Tiwari told the Business Times on the sidelines of a media briefing held on Wednesday that a new movement for the use of glass was aimed at informing the public of the health benefits of using glass bottles for storing foods and as not to deter the use of other products.
He pointed out that his company as a manufacturer of glass items was supporting this event to spread awareness of the healthy form of packaging. This movement titled “Believers in Glass” hopes to attract the general public and build a momentum to ensure that the push would come from the people to increase the use of glass for the storage of food items.
As part of this movement a Facebook page titled Believers in Glass and a website www.believersinglass.com is already available that is creating awareness and has attracted thousands of visitors to the site and page, it was announced at the event held at the Waters Edge in Battaramulla.
Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, College of Chemical Sciences Honorary Joint Secretary Dr. A.A.P. Keerthi said that glass is a natural and safe material and could also be recycled and that food and medicines is good in glass. City Analyst R.M.G.B. Rajanayake said that glass would not change its form and even acts as a barrier to ultra violet light and protect nutrients in food. In addition, it was pointed out that it does not react with other chemicals and it was an element that could be continuously used for decades.
National Hospital Colombo Head of the Department of Toxicology and National Poison Centre and Consultant Physician, Dr, Waruna Gunatillake speaking on the health risks of using polythese and plastics said that the use of these materials in lunch sheets, plates and PET bottles could result in food getting contaminated. He noted that there could be cancerous related issues arising due to the continued use of these elements in addition to creating genetic problems as well.
Consumer Affairs Authority Consumer Affairs and Information Director Chandrika Thilakaratne said that glass had advantages over other forms of packaging material as it does not react with food. She pointed out that coloured glass containers could be used to protect food from light and was a reusable product. At the event it was highlighted that the percentage use of glass is high in developed countries when compared to some Asian countries; in addition it was noted that about 60 tons of glass was recycled daily in Sri Lanka. (SD)