PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a polymer that we use to form a plastic bag. PET is a very commonly used plastic. It is labelled with a #1 code on or near the bottom of bottles and containers, and it is commonly used to make bottles for soda, water, peanut butter, and salad dressings.

Polypropylene is a polymer that can be used to form a plastic container and its lid. It can also be used to form the slider closure on a bag, the clear window in a container lid, or special bags, such as Ziploc^® Zip’n Steam^® Microwave Cooking Bags. Polypropylene has a wide variety of common uses, from piping to dishes to protective plastic sheets. It is also often used for containers for uses ranging from food to medical use because it can withstand heat. It is approved for use in products that come into direct contact with food. Polypropylene can withstand both heat and freezing. Check your product label for more information, and rest assured that Ziploc^® Brand products that are marked as "microwaveable" meet the safety requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for temperatures associated with defrosting and reheating food in microwave ovens, as well as room, refrigerator, and freezer temperatures.