A New Puzzlement

[wyld_dandelyon]

As I've mentioned, I'm allergic to corn.

Now they're making "cornplastic" glasses, plates, forks, and the like.

Is it safe for me to eat with/out of them?

Comments

[jerusha.livejournal.com]

Based on what I jut Googled up regarding the process, I expect it would be safe. However, it might be wise to do so in a controlled environment on your first attempt, so you can catch any corn-related symptoms if they occur.

The short version is: The process uses dextrose, in this case extracted from corn because they're in the Midwest and corn is both local and cheap. The dextrose is fermented into lactic acid, which is used to construct poly lactic acid (PLA), which is the polymer they use to make the plastic. One provider makes the point that the dextrose can be from any source, and they are in fact exploring the idea of using non-food biomass as the sugar source instead.

Generally, proteins are what trigger the reaction in an allergy. Between the extraction of the dextrose, the fermentation, and then the extrusion into products, I would be surprised if enough corn protein persisted to trigger a reaction. OTOH, I can't completely discount the possibility, either.

[whitecrow0.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow. I peeked over here as miintikwa pimped you.

I AM ALLERGIC TO CORN TOO. I have anaphylactic reactions eating and breathing it.