Large producers of carbonated drinks release their products in several packaging formats: glass, plastic, and aluminum cans. This is not related to the quality of the drink, but to logistics convenience, cost-effectiveness, and consumption conditions. The most in-demand is plastic packaging. Almost all manufacturers use it for their products, such as: "Obolon", "Umanpivo", "Bon Boisson", etc. At the same time, there is a widespread belief that glass or metal packaging is better and even safer. In reality, lemonade in plastic bottles is not inferior in quality and taste, and when high-quality PET preforms are used, there are no risks to health or the environment. Let’s start debunking these myths one by one.
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Large producers of carbonated drinks release their products in several packaging formats: glass, plastic, and aluminum cans. This is not related to the quality of the drink, but to logistics convenience, cost-effectiveness, and consumption conditions. The most in-demand is plastic packaging. Almost all manufacturers use it for their products, such as: "Obolon", "Umanpivo", "Bon Boisson", etc. At the same time, there is a widespread belief that glass or metal packaging is better and even safer. In reality, lemonade in plastic bottles is not inferior in quality and taste, and when high-quality PET preforms are used, there are no risks to health or the environment. Let’s start debunking these myths one by one.
First: the taste in plastic is worse
The opinion that lemonade in PET bottles tastes worse than in glass or cans is one of the most common and is also one of the main misconceptions. The taste of the product is influenced not by the packaging, but by storage conditions:
- ✅ temperature;
- ✅ tightness to prevent oxidation. In terms of reliability, PET packaging is not inferior to glass or metal cans; properly sized plastic caps provide a secure seal;
- ✅ exposure to direct sunlight.
In other words, under the same storage conditions, the drink will not differ whether it is in a can, glass, or PET bottle.
Another important factor affecting taste is the recipe. It varies among different producers. For this reason, it may seem that lemonade from one brand in a can or glass bottle tastes better than another brand in plastic. For objectivity, it is worth trying products from the same manufacturer in the same type of packaging — you will be surprised, as there will be no difference.
Second: beverages stay cooler longer in metal cans
In metal cans, the drink cools faster compared to PET — this is a fact. This phenomenon is explained by thermal conductivity. Metal cans are made of aluminum, which is naturally a metal. Metals, in turn, are the best conductors of heat.
That is, if you put lemonade in a metal can in the fridge, the heat will leave it faster through the walls. It will become cold in a shorter time. Likewise, in a warm room, a cool drink in a metal can will warm up faster! The perception of coolness comes from the fact that when touching the aluminum can, it “takes” heat from your hand, making the packaging feel cold.
The walls of plastic bottles for beverages are thicker than the metal used for cans. They create a “thermos” effect, slowing down heat transfer between the drink and the surrounding environment. Thus, the product in a PET bottle stays cooler longer.
If lemonade in a plastic bottle is kept in the fridge and protected from direct sunlight, it will also be refreshing and taste “brighter.”
Third: the quality in plastic packaging is worse
This myth is related to the widespread belief that PET releases styrene — a substance harmful to health.
Firstly, if high-quality preforms made from certified raw materials and complying with environmental standards are used, lemonade in plastic does not deteriorate and no styrene is released.
This fact is confirmed by studies published in the German journal Food Additives & Contaminants, devoted to the safety of PET packaging. Moreover, they show that PET maintains chemical stability up to 60–70°C. Surely, no one would heat lemonade in plastic to such temperatures. Similar research can be found on the official ILSI Europe website in the article “PET for Food Packaging Applications,” which provides a fundamental review of PET and assesses the risk of substance migration into food.
These studies also confirm another important fact — plastic manufactured according to sanitary and environmental standards is safe. Therefore, it is important to order PET preforms from reliable and verified manufacturers. One such manufacturer is “Zavod Preform.”
You can order PET preforms of different volumes and colors, with various neck formats. We use certified raw materials for production, allowing our preforms to be used for filling a wide range of products — carbonated drinks, oils, dairy, technical liquids. Branding, as well as bottle accessories — caps and handles, can be ordered immediately. You can place an order for preforms right now by filling out the form on our website, and we will call you back to clarify details.