The device known as shoyu-tai (or soy-sauce snapper in Japanese) was invented in 1954 by Teruo Watanabe, the founder of Osaka-based company Asahi Sogyo, according to a report from Japan’s Radio Kansai.

It was then common for glass and ceramic containers to be used but the advent of cheap industrial plastics allowed the creation of a small polyethylene container in the shape of a fish, officially named the “Lunch Charm”.

The invention quickly spread around Japan and eventually worldwide, and it is estimated that billions have been produced.

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[–] 33 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Keep in mind that PLA also leaks microplastics into food and could also be considered a risk to health just like other plastics.

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  • [–] 10 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    Aren't these biodegradable, though? I imagine the body would eventually process them, unlike hydrocarbon based plastics.

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  • [–] 36 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    “Biodegradable” doesn’t mean “biodegradable in the conditions in the human body.” Lots of ‘green’ plastics are only compostable at a fairly high temperature (120F/50C) and with specific bacteria present.

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