Heres what you gotta know amid concerns about microplastics and toxic chemicals.
A good rule of thumb is to check the manufacturers directions.
What Are Plastic Storage Containers Made Of?
Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design.
This is not to demonize plastics or turn a blind eye to their widely positive impact on modern society.
Modern storage containers are quite different from what was produced at the turn of the 20th century.
Around the 1950s and onward, plastic started to be relatively cheap and easy to make.
Over the next several decades, the use of plastics exploded.
Today, Yakas explained, manufacturers are developing new, more durable and flexible plastic products.
Are Plastic Containers Safe to Use in the Microwave?
Not all plastic storage containers are created equally.
Always check the manufacturers directions to see if your plastic food storage container is microwave-safe, said Yakas.
If not, the container may carry a risk of leaching harmful chemicals into the food.
But its hard to know exactly what chemicals are in all plastic storage containers.
NSF recommends reheating food stored in a plastic container on a different plate or bowl.
This can minimize risks and support the durability of your plastic food storage containers.
Even if your container is certified for home use, you may need to replace it.
Always check the manufacturers directions to see if the container is microwave-safe.
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