Microplastics databaseTypes of plasticChecked 2026-10-01
Polylactic acid (biodegradable plastic)
PLA / resin identification code 7（その他）
Plant-derived biodegradable plastic. Released the least of 4 materials in a hot-water test.
Main uses
- Plant-derived containers and cups
- Coating on paper cups (in place of polyethylene)
- Some tea bags
Found in food, water and the human body
- Hot water in takeout containers: the least of the 4 materials (Jin et al. 2024)
- Paper cups: polylactic acid coating released less than polyethylene coating (Son et al. 2024)
- No study measuring polylactic acid in the human body was found
Detailed numbers by food: Microwave heating and takeout containers, Paper cups and coffee, Tea bags
Japan's standards (utensils, containers and packaging that touch food)
- MHLW Notification No. 370 (polylactic acid): total lactic acid 30 μg/mL or less, and other limits
- Biodegradable plastic containers and packaging also fall under the “plastic” mark (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Q&A)
General standards for all synthetic resins: cadmium and lead in the material 100 μg/g or less each, heavy metals migrating (as lead) 1 μg/mL or less, and others. Since June 2020, synthetic resins that touch food have been under a “positive list system” that sets which substances may be used (the transition period ended May 31, 2025). → Rules and regulation
Sources
- Jin T, et al. J Hazard Mater 2024;475:134866 (PMID 38870856)
- Son, et al. J Hazard Mater 2024;464:133014 (PMID 37984146)
- Consumer Affairs Agency, standards for utensils, containers and packaging (Notification No. 370, Part 3) (Japanese)
- IARC List of Classifications
Last checked 2026-10-01. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.
This page lists facts stated in laws, public agencies' evaluations and papers. It does not judge whether any material or product is good or bad.