Meanings of images at the bottom of some tupperware?

April 6, 2023 5:44 PM

The snowflakes is freezer safe, and the one with a square with plates on top and North E and North W from the bottom looks like dishwasher safe. But what about the with wine glass and fork mean? Also, the 4 lines of the waves ( or 4 horizontal zigzag lines) inside a square mean? It can't be microwave since only ceramic or glass goes in the microwave.

Is this question about language or home and garden? I put it in writing and language as in pictogram is language. Which is the best category?

posted by amfgf to Writing & Language (10 answers total)

Best answer: Wine glass and fork means approved for food use.
The waves mean microwave safe. Plastic that is labeled microwave safe is safe for microwave use.
posted by SageTrail at 5:49 PM on April 6, 2023 [6 favorites]

Best answer: The wine glass and fork mean it's food safe. I'm not sure why the Tupperware company thought it necessary to emphasize this. Multiple wavy lines in a box means microwave safe, but I wouldn't microwave Tupperware, you can boil food into the surface and after that it looks kind of cruddy. I don't think it's dangerous to use - Tupperware is polyethlyene and is both inert and heat resistant, except for in a ring around the top of the food being cooked. I don't know why this is.
I'm surprised by how uninformative and uninspiring these symbols are.
posted by AugustusCrunch at 5:55 PM on April 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Definitely be cautious when microwaving high fat foods or cheese in Tupperware, as that can cause the plastic to reform or even form holes, but actual Tupperware is almost always microwave-safe. Non-Tupperware tupperware may be, too, if it has that symbol or says it in words.

(This may blow your mind, but some metals can go in the microwave, too. That's how they do the "crisping" sleeves for e.g. Hot Pockets and stuff. )
posted by tubedogg at 10:02 PM on April 6, 2023

Best answer:

DESIGNED TO BE HEATED

If your Tupperware has a symbol with squiggly lines, it’s safe to use it in the microwave. All resins approved for use in the microwave have been tested to ensure no transfer of chemicals to your food takes place.

posted by zamboni at 10:27 PM on April 6, 2023

Best answer:

The international symbol for "food safe" material is a wine glass and a fork symbol. The symbol indicates that the material used in the product is considered safe for food contact.

I'm not sure why the Tupperware company thought it necessary to emphasize this.

It is mandatory for products sold in Europe after the Framework Regulation EC 1935/2004.

posted by zamboni at 10:36 PM on April 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Found table of Tupperware symbols on Pinterest somewhere.

There are metal microwave-safe food container. They are simply designed to be "non-sparking", usually stainless steel with supposed "special formulation". Cuitisan, Bentgo, are just some of the brands.
posted by kschang at 3:10 AM on April 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Here's another chart that looks somewhat official
posted by kschang at 3:16 AM on April 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I'm surprised by how uninformative and uninspiring these symbols are.

Try decoding the umpteen care/laundry symbols that show up on clothing tags. Those make Tupperware’s symbols seem completely understandable.
posted by Thorzdad at 3:39 AM on April 7, 2023 [3 favorites]

Best answer: At least there are established standards for laundry symbols.
posted by zamboni at 4:48 AM on April 7, 2023

Response by poster: Ok. I guess some people must have only known it to be used for inedible items, and posed the question to manufacturers if it is ok for food.

The "Do not bleach" symbol should be either black triangle or white triangle, with a diagonal line. It's understandable if people think there must be a difference, IMHO
posted by amfgf at 11:52 AM on April 9, 2023