Keeping food safe when using plastic containers (2024)

FAQs

Is it safe to keep food in plastic containers? ›

Which Plastics Are Safest? According to National Geographic's The Green Guide, plastics #2, #4 and #5 are the safest for repeatedly storing your food. If you reuse items made from plastics #1, #3, #6 and #7 (some Tupperware products are made from #7), you run the risk of having toxic chemicals leach into the contents.

Plastic does not react with most of the substances. Hence, food kept in plastic container remains fresh for longer duration. Due to this, plastic containers are preferred for storing food.

A food grade container is one that will not transfer non-food chemicals into the food. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, non-food grade plastic containers may contaminate food. Plastic food containers must follow specific regulations to make sure they are safe for food. Use single-use containers once.

“Plastic food storage containers should be replaced every six months to one year, depending on usage and wear and tear. Over time, plastic containers can become scratched, stained, or damaged, and that starts to pose a food safety risk, explains Dragomir Markovic, food scientist and founder of Wise Intake.

Regardless of whether a plastic food container contains phthalates or BPA, it may not be entirely safe. Plastics break down over time, which means they can potentially release trace amounts of whatever chemicals they are made of into the food.

Plastic containers come with a food-grade rating on the bottom that ranges from 1 to 7. This gives consumers an idea of how safe they are for storing their food. Plastic grades 2, 4, and 5 are the safest for food storage. Using these plastics to store food will prevent accidental toxin ingestion.

Advantages of Plastic Containers

Weigh very little and are easy to carry. Not as expensive. Stackable. Not easily broken.

Plastics are ubiquitous, cheap and convenient, but come with a hidden cost: they leach chemicals that contaminate our food and drink, and they create enduring pollution. The best thing to do is minimize your use of plastic, especially in the kitchen.

Plastic containers are durable and maintenance-free. Aside from that, it doesn't need installation. It means that you can save much more money when using those containers.

It's a bad idea to heat food in plastic.

However, microwaving in plastic containers is associated with increased leaching — the transfer or leaking of chemicals into food. Note that even if a plastic container is labeled “microwave safe,” that simply means it won't melt.

Is it OK to eat out of plastic containers? ›

In general, the safest choices for food use are numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding plastic containers with codes 3, 6 and 7. Plastic number 3 contains vinyl or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 6 has polystyrene and 7 can contain various plastics, such as Bisphenol A (BPA).

To maintain safety, it is recommended not to use vintage Tupperware for food storage, particularly if it is not certified as BPA-free. Instead, repurposing for non-food-related uses or selling to collectors can be considered to avoid potential health hazards.

Studies have found that certain chemicals in plastic can leach out of the plastic and into the food and beverages we eat. Some of these chemicals have been linked to health problems such as metabolic disorders (including obesity) and reduced fertility.

While there is no set timeframe for replacing plastic food containers, experts say they should be tossed out when they show visible wear, chips, cracks, or signs of stains and odors. In place of plastic containers, experts recommend opting for glass or stainless steel instead.

While storing food in plastic containers may be common, the major issue against using them is the leaching of substances from the plastic into the food. Hence, foods that are hot, oily and acidic in nature must never be stored in plastic containers as they will encourage the migration of chemicals into them.

Avoid products made from polystyrene (PS #6).

Found in styrofoam food trays, disposable cups and bowls, carry-out containers, and opaque plastic cutlery, polystyrene can leach styrene, a neurotoxin and possible carcinogen.

We like glass for its durability and ability to resist staining and scratching. It's also more commonly dishwasher-safe than plastic containers. In addition, some glass containers are safe to transfer directly from the freezer to the microwave or even oven (though be sure to remove the lid).

That said, while it's typically better to grow food in the dirt and away from toxins, it is safe to grow vegetables in plastic containers so long as the planter is made of certain types of plastic approved for use with food.