Earn up to 50 hours of CME with OMED On-Demand through Dec. 31, 2024 | LEARN MORE
You can avoid the potential of chemicals seeping into your food by using plastic containers deemed safe for microwave use.
Plastics play a crucial role in our kitchens. From storing to serving, there are numerous ways our food comes in contact with plastic every day. The question is: Are all these interactions safe?
“When certain types of plastic are heated in the microwave, the substances and chemicals used in the manufacturing of the plastic can leak into your food,” explains Rob Danoff, DO, an osteopathic family physician in Philadelphia. “This plastic residual can raise health concerns when ingested, especially in infants and pregnant women.”
However, that doesn’t mean it’s unsafe to microwave all plastics. “It depends on the type of plastic and on the type of food you are heating,” says Dr. Danoff. “Fatty foods, like meats and cheeses, reach very high temperatures and may cause the plastic to warp or melt. This, in turn, has the potential to cause a chemical to seep out of the plastic and into the food.”
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, look beyond your symptoms to understand how lifestyle and environmental factors affect your wellbeing. They listen and partner with you to help prevent injury and encourage your body’s natural tendency toward self-healing.
It’s important to know what to look for when determining if certain plastics are safe for the microwave. “A good place to start is with the manufacturer’s labels on your plastic containers,” says Dr. Danoff.
Every plastic container intended for use with food has to undergo stringent testing performed by the FDA. You’ll see either a microwave-safe symbol or written instructions indicating the plastic product is microwave-safe. The numbering system found on plastics pertains to recycling and does not indicate whether or not the plastic is safe for heating.
Although certain types of plastic wrap are approved by the FDA as microwave-safe, plastic wrap can melt if it comes in direct contact with hot food.
Dr. Danoff recommends leaving at least one inch between plastic wrap and food before heating, or using alternatives like wax paper, parchment paper, or white paper towels.
Dr. Danoff stresses that certain types of plastic should always be avoided when heating food in a microwave, including:
When heating up food in the microwave:
“The important thing is to always read the labels of your plastic containers carefully before you put them in the microwave,” cautions Dr. Danoff. “If you are unsure, then it’s best to heat your food in a microwave-safe container made of a different material, such as glass or ceramic.”