What are the steps being taken by the company to ensure the safety of consumers patronizing C2 drinks?

All raw and packaging materials that go into the production of C2 undergo strict sampling, inspection and testing according to international test methods to make sure they all pass the standards of quality and safety before use. The process and facilities are designed by global players according to international standards. All materials, finished products and the plant facilities are audited regularly and approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs.

PET is the most widely recycled plastic. Does the company re-use C2’s PET bottles?

No.

Study shows that repeated washing and rinsing weakens the plastic, enabling carcinogens to leak into the PET bottles’ contents. Do you plan on putting “Please crush after use” on C2 PET bottles?

This is a hoax. Studies/reviews conducted by the US FDA and other institutions indicate that reuse of PET bottles is safe provided that washing and sanitizing is adequate before refilling to remove previous microbial and chemical contaminants.

Does the company have labels on the C2 PET bottles warning people of reuse, which may cause health hazards?

No. As long as washing and sanitizing of PET bottles is adequate prior to refill, reuse is generally safe.

A study also shows that liquid contents in PET bottles should not be more than a week and the PET bottles should be kept away from heat. Is this applicable to C2 drinks? Why?

This is a hoax. This is not applicable to C2. Migration studies conducted by the US FDA and other international scientific institutions do not support this claim as long as PET is used under the conditions of use specified by regulations.

Why can’t the company use glass bottles for its C2 drinks instead?

PET is more convenient, cost effective, and shatter-resistant than glass.

Is PET bottle safe?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for food and beverage applications. This material is widely used in the global food and beverage industry.

What’s wrong with re-using PET bottles? Is there a risk in re-using PET bottles?

First, C2 is using virgin bottles only. However, after consuming your favorite C2, you may reuse the PET bottles and this is generally safe based on the evaluations done by the US FDA. If there is any risk at all, it is when the bottled is refilled with hazardous chemicals and reused again as food/beverage container, where contaminants can come from the chemicals; or when the empty bottle is not adequately/properly cleaned and sanitized before refilling.

Is there DEHA (diethylhexyl adipate) migrating from the PET bottles to the product? Is DEHA carcinogenic?

1. DEHA is not a raw material, by-product, or decomposition product in PET manufacture so it cannot leach out from the PET bottle since it is not there in the first place.

2. This DEHA topic came from a master’s thesis of a University of Idaho student, which was published without peer review. Experts suspect that DEHA, which is a common plasticizer, may have come from the laboratory and could have contaminated the work of the student.

3. Even if present, DEHA is NOT a human carcinogen based on the evaluations of the US Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA), National Toxicology Program (NTP), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It is even allowed by the US FDA for food contact applications.

Is hot-filling causing chemicals to migrate from the PET bottle to the product?

PET bottles can be hot-filled based on conditions of use for PET bottles (US CFR 21 Part 177), which requires a maximum fill temp of 250 deg F. C2 is filled way below this temperature.

What does the number at the bottom of the bottles mean?

The number at the bottom refers to the plastic identification number and this is generally useful in the sorting of used bottles/materials for recycling purposes. These numbers are:

1 – PET, polyethlyene terephthalate
2 – HDPE, high-density polyethylene
3 – PVC, polyvinyl chloride
4 – LDPE, low-density polyethylene
5 – PP, polypropylene
6 – PS/PS-E, polystyrene / expanded polystyrene
7 – OTHER, resins or multi-materials

“Anything below 5 is hazardous” is a hoax; all types of plastics are allowed by the US FDA under specific conditions of use of which C2 follows in the case of PET.

Are PET bottles safe to recyle?

The technology for safe recycling of PET into bottles, clothes, etc., is available but we do not use recycled PET bottles for C2. C2 uses only newly molded/virgin PET bottles.

Is it true that the C2 process of brewing and bottling on the same day will release a carcinogenic chemical that is a health hazard?

No. There is no relation between C2 brewing and bottling on the same day, and the migration of chemicals from bottle to product.

Related Page: PET Bottle Issue

The bi-axially oriented polypropylene plant (BOPP) continues to produce a wide range of polypropylene film in compliance within the quality standards of ISO 9001:2000 and environmental standards of ISO 14001:1996 with the distinction of being the only IMS-ISO certified BOPP plant in the country.

The plant being ISO certified since 1999 has strengthened URC-Packaging Division’s position as a reliable manufacturer of high quality bi-axially polypropylene film.

URC-Packaging Division expects to maintain its dominant position in the local market to meet the growing demand for high-quality packaging products and continues to develop the large potential of the export market.

URC Packaging Division Website
http://www.urc.com.ph/bopp

(Published in the March 7, 2005 Philippine Star)