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Plastic containers are the most conventional methods to store leftovers in the fridge safely with airtight lids. The sophisticated and aesthetic designs make it one of the best options which looks appealing and keeps the food fresh for days.
Now, with the advancement of technology, these containers have levelled up their usage and also arrived in microwave-safe design. This allows you to throw it directly in the oven after taking it out from the fridge and rules out the need to soil another tableware.
While it may be conventional, plastic is still plastic and no one can rule that fact out. Whether it's grade-A plastic or made by huge brands, every kind of plastic still poses a level of danger when heated up in the microwave. Don't let the catchy “microwave-safe” tag fool you and learn the reasons why you should avoid heating food in plastic.
- Potential Chemical Leaching
Despite the label that says “microwave safe,” plastics are never safe when it comes to heating. Fundamentally, plastics are a poor conductor of heat and electricity which is why they melt when heated up. When you talk about microwave-safe containers, it actually marks the ability of that plastic to hold high temperatures and retain its shape despite being heated. But, being heat-safe doesn't mean it has food safety too. When you heat the foods in microwave-safe plastic containers, it poses a danger of chemical leaching. Microwave-safe plastics are generally made with the addition of chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalates. BPA adds hardness to plastics whereas Phthalates make them flexible and durable. Both chemicals are known for disrupting the endocrine system and have adverse effects on health. Heating microwave-safe plastics thus leaches these chemicals into the food making it harmful.
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- Difficulty In Cleaning
Plastic containers most often get stained by spices and colours of food. These stains are hard to clean off and rigorously rubbing them with powerful detergent soaps and scrubs rub off the layers of plastic and can potentially release plastic particles and chemicals into the food. Along with this, storing food in plastic containers infuses the container with odour and can promote the growth of bacteria and fungi. This increases the risk of contamination and leads to hygiene and health concerns.
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- Alternatives to Plastic Containers
It is often advised to go for glass or ceramic containers for heating food in the microwave. Glass containers are durable and safe for the microwave as they never leach harmful chemicals. On the plus side, glass is also recyclable which makes it an eco-friendly option as well. In addition to this, ceramic containers are also considered better for storing food and heating up in the microwave. They are sustainable and do not react with food.
Image Credit: Freepik
Despite the convenience and affordability of microwave-safe plastic containers, glass and ceramic are still the winners. The next time you are feeling lazy and thinking about heating food in plastic, think again and avoid putting your health at risk.
