Food has been stored by people in containers made from plastic, for quite some time. Lately with the safety of food being a primary concern, plastic as a device for food storage is being investigated. With current research and studies being performed on contaminated food, the web is a valuable tool in getting information so as to avoid food poisoning from E. coli and salmonella, or even to avoid potential ailments triggered by the use of plastics.
Research has indicated that EDC's, (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals), are present in plastics. Cancer and disruption to sex hormones can be caused by these chemicals. The recommendation is that food should be stored in containers that are a substance other than plastic so that food cannot be contaminated in this way. It's best to use a glass or stainless steel container to keep phthalates from leaching out and contaminating food.
People are also worried about using plastic dishes to microwave food. Most experts warn against it anyway. To be safe, it is wise to refrain from utilizing plastic containers to heat food in the microwave and to minimize the amount of direct contact between plastic cling wrap and food that is heated in the microwave!!!.
source - http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100718113102AARjT3F&show=2
2 comments:
Dear Dr Gupta,
Thanks for posting the mail for caution.
I think the culprits are Polycarbonates marked 7 (BPA) and PVC (phalates) marked 3. Other plastics are not commented upon. I am relying on data from an article in Scientific American and another at WebMD. So what is the solution, I give exerpts from these 2008 articles:
(Talking of Polycarbonates, marked "7").......If canned goods or clear plastic bottles are a must, such containers should never be microwaved, used to store heated liquids or foods, or washed in hot water (either by hand or in much hotter dishwashers). "These are fantastic products and they work well … [but] based on my knowledge of the scientific data, there is reason for caution," Belcher says. "I have made a decision for myself not to use them."
and
Pots, Pans, and Plastic: Sticky Questions
Teflon and related nonstick coatings on pots and pans aren't widely suspected of being toxic if swallowed. However, Teflon and all nonstick cookware can release toxic chemicals during manufacture and disposal, as well as during use at very high temperatures -- temperatures over 500 degrees.
The same chemical used in nonstick cookware is also used in the linings of nonstick packaging like that used for microwave popcorn and some fast-food containers.
You can avoid any exposure to these chemicals by following these tips:
Never preheat your nonstick cookware on high. Empty pans can reach high temperatures very quickly. Stick to as low a temperature as possible to safely cook the food.
Don't put nonstick cookware in an oven over 500 degrees.
Run an exhaust fan over the stove while using nonstick cookware.
Never cook on Teflon or other nonstick cookware with a pet bird in the kitchen. The fumes from an overheated pan can kill a bird in seconds.
Opt for cookware that is made from safer materials like cast iron.
Reduce your consumption of microwave popcorn and fast foods.
To reduce your exposure to the chemicals in plastic, use these strategies:
Use a paper towel instead of plastic wrap in the microwave.
Don't microwave food in plastic containers (put food on a plate instead).
Use safer dishware made from materials like glass or stainless steel.
Avoid use of plastic containers with the number 3 or 7 on them. Plastics with the number 1 (typically used for water and soda bottles) are single use only. Recycle after use.
Use tempered glass baby bottles instead of plastic. If you use plastic bottles, don't heat them.
Store food in glass or Pyrex containers, rather than plastic.
Discard scratched or worn plastic containers.
Hand wash plastics to reduce wear and tear.
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Why not just avoid using nonstick utensils and plastic containers. Using stainless steel utensils and glass containers is a better choice. I know the day-to-day inconvenience is harder to overcome when the effect on your body is slow and unnoticeable for years :)
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