October 18/Lowell, Mass./Lowell Sun -- Responding to health concerns about possible carcinogens in the former polystyrene containers, Stonyfield Farm Inc. announced it has switched to a plastic made from corn -- one of the first plant-based containers for the dairy industry and believed to be the first for yogurt.
Polyactic acid or PLA, a polymer made from corn, is nothing new. Last April, Frito-Lay came out with a compostable bag for its SunChips, one which it is now scrapping for most varieties because customers complained about how noisy it was. Coca Cola Co. has introduced a bottle made from up to 30% plant-based materials and a mix of petroleum-based materials.