MICROWAVES
AND PLASTICS:
HOW TO SAFELY
RE-HEAT YOUR LEFTOVERS
Plastics
play a crucial role in our kitchens. From storing to serving, there are
numerous ways our food comes in contact with plastic everyday. The question is:
are all these interactions safe? When it comes to heating our food in
microwaves, the answer is potentially, no.
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. This plastic residual can
raise health concerns when ingested, especially in infants and pregnant women.
However,
that doesn’t mean that it’s unsafe to microwave all plastics. It depends on the type of plastic and on the type of food you are heating.
Different plastics react to the microwave in different ways and fatty foods, in
particular, 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. That’s why 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 manufacturers labels on your plastic containers.
Every
plastic container intended for use with food has to undergo stringent testing
performed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If it is determined that a
plastic product is safe for microwave use, then you will see either a
microwave-safe symbol or written instructions indicating the product is microwave-safe.
The number system found on plastics pertains to recycling and does not indicate
whether or not the plastic is safe for heating. However, not all microwave-safe products are
safe to use in the microwave in the same way.
Though certain types of plastic wrap have received an FDA approved
microwave-safe label, if it comes into direct contact with hot food (especially
fatty foods) in the microwave, it may melt and release some of its contents
into the food. Therefore, you should
leave at least one inch between plastic wrap and food before heating, or use
alternatives like wax paper, parchment paper, or white paper towels.
There
are certain types of plastics to always avoid when heating food in a microwave.
These include:
·
Restaurant takeout containers
·
Water bottles
·
Plastic tubs and jars made to hold margarine, cream cheese, yogurt, mayonnaise,
mustard, etc.
·
Plastic storage bags or plastic bags from the grocery store
People
should follow these microwaving tips:
·
Never reheat the plastic tray formulated for frozen dinner and lunch
entrees. These are intended for one-time use only.
·
Vent the container when microwaving by leaving the lid ajar or lifting
the edge.
·
Ensure your product states “microwave safe” or contains instructions for
use in the microwave.
The
important thing is to always read the labels of your plastic containers
carefully before you put them in the microwave.
If you are unsure, then it is best to heat your food in a microwave-safe
container made of a different material, such as glass or ceramic.
Preventive
medicine is just one aspect of care osteopathic physicians (DOs) provide. DOs
are fully licensed to prescribe medicine and practice in all specialty areas,
including surgery. DOs are trained to consider the health of the whole person
and use their hands to help diagnose and treat their patients.
The contributing physician to this
article was Robert I. Danoff, DO, MS, FACOFP, an osteopathic family physician from