DEPLASTISIZING YOUR FOOD
9 WAYS TO PREVENT CHEMICALS FROM MIGRATING INTO YOUR FOOD
Chemicals are most likely to migrate from plastic into food when exposed to highheat, harsh soaps, and fat. These precautionary measures can help youplay it safe.
AVOID MICROWAVING IN PLASTIC.
Heat speeds the release of chemicals into food. "People are being soldmicrowave-safe plastic, when in fact we're not being told what's inthere and the rate at which these chemicals leach out," says researcherFrederick vom Saal. Avoid this uncertainty by using ceramic or glassinstead.
EXPLORE THE ALTERNATIVES.
"I have one word for you:glass," says Terry Hassold, a professor of genetics at Case WesternReserve University in Cleveland, who has studied the health effects ofbisphenol-A (BPA) on mice. You can also store your food in ceramiccontainers, waxed- and brown paper bags, and metal canisters made forhot and cold food. (See "Safe Harbor," page 117.)
Heat speeds the release of chemicals into food. "People are being soldmicrowave-safe plastic, when in fact we're not being told what's inthere and the rate at which these chemicals leach out," says researcherFrederick vom Saal. Avoid this uncertainty by using ceramic or glassinstead.
EXPLORE THE ALTERNATIVES.
"I have one word for you:glass," says Terry Hassold, a professor of genetics at Case WesternReserve University in Cleveland, who has studied the health effects ofbisphenol-A (BPA) on mice. You can also store your food in ceramiccontainers, waxed- and brown paper bags, and metal canisters made forhot and cold food. (See "Safe Harbor," page 117.)
USE PAPER -- NOT CLING -- WRAP.
Many studies indicate that most of the cling wrap used by delis andgrocery stores contains high levels of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aplasticizing chemical that has been linked to hormonal abnormalities inmice. (Happily, the cling wraps made for home use are safer.) Ask thebutcher to wrap meat and fish in paper. And transfer fatty deli foodsout of plastic wrap and into waxed paper when you get home. "If you putcling wrap that's been plasticized on fatty foods, that stuff willmigrate," says Consumer Union's Ned Groth. You might also want to cutoff cheese's outer layer -- which has been directly exposed to plastic-- before rewrapping it in something safer.
Many studies indicate that most of the cling wrap used by delis andgrocery stores contains high levels of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aplasticizing chemical that has been linked to hormonal abnormalities inmice. (Happily, the cling wraps made for home use are safer.) Ask thebutcher to wrap meat and fish in paper. And transfer fatty deli foodsout of plastic wrap and into waxed paper when you get home. "If you putcling wrap that's been plasticized on fatty foods, that stuff willmigrate," says Consumer Union's Ned Groth. You might also want to cutoff cheese's outer layer -- which has been directly exposed to plastic-- before rewrapping it in something safer.
WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT.
Discoloration, cracks,or other signs of wear suggest your plastic containers are degradingand may be leaching chemicals into your food. Once you've purged yourkitchen of old plastic food bins and cups, splurge on a replacement setmade of glass.
Discoloration, cracks,or other signs of wear suggest your plastic containers are degradingand may be leaching chemicals into your food. Once you've purged yourkitchen of old plastic food bins and cups, splurge on a replacement setmade of glass.
LIMIT YOUR EXPOSURE.
The longer food sits in plastic, the greater its time of exposure tochemicals that could migrate into it. If you must buy food in plastic-- and it's hard not to -- transfer it into a more food-friendlycontainer once you get home.
The longer food sits in plastic, the greater its time of exposure tochemicals that could migrate into it. If you must buy food in plastic-- and it's hard not to -- transfer it into a more food-friendlycontainer once you get home.
WASH PLASTIC BY HAND.
"It only takes 20 washings in the dishwasher for BPA to startleaching," says vom Saal. Along with high heat, harsh detergents breakdown plastic as well. Wash your plastic containers, even those labeled"dishwasher safe," by hand in warm water and mild detergent.
"It only takes 20 washings in the dishwasher for BPA to startleaching," says vom Saal. Along with high heat, harsh detergents breakdown plastic as well. Wash your plastic containers, even those labeled"dishwasher safe," by hand in warm water and mild detergent.
READ THE LABEL.
While you'll never find an actual list of ingredients, many plasticscome with labels of sorts: those triangles with numbers inside found onthe bottom of plastic containers. The numbers you most want to avoidare 3, 6, and 7. The safest numbers are 1, 2, and 5 -- the type ofplastics used in most small water bottles and all soda bottles, yogurtcontainers, tubs of butter, and so on. (For more details, see "Plasticby the Numbers," page 74.) At the very least, look for brands billingthemselves as "PVC-free."
While you'll never find an actual list of ingredients, many plasticscome with labels of sorts: those triangles with numbers inside found onthe bottom of plastic containers. The numbers you most want to avoidare 3, 6, and 7. The safest numbers are 1, 2, and 5 -- the type ofplastics used in most small water bottles and all soda bottles, yogurtcontainers, tubs of butter, and so on. (For more details, see "Plasticby the Numbers," page 74.) At the very least, look for brands billingthemselves as "PVC-free."
BUY GLASS BOTTLES.
Some of the clear plastics, like baby bottles, are treated withbisphenol-A, to which infants are particularly vulnerable. "Using thesebottles is like putting a serious drug into what the baby's drinking,"says vom Saal. Look for glass baby bottles by Evenflo. And avoiddrinking water from those five-gallon water jugs delivered to officesand homes, which also contain BPA. Opt instead for filtered water fromthe tap.
Some of the clear plastics, like baby bottles, are treated withbisphenol-A, to which infants are particularly vulnerable. "Using thesebottles is like putting a serious drug into what the baby's drinking,"says vom Saal. Look for glass baby bottles by Evenflo. And avoiddrinking water from those five-gallon water jugs delivered to officesand homes, which also contain BPA. Opt instead for filtered water fromthe tap.
BUY IN BULK.
Health food stores are selling everything from pasta to tofu in bulk,and the plastic used to bag bulk products isn't known to be toxic, saysGroth. To play it really safe, you can transfer your bagged items toglass containers at home.
Health food stores are selling everything from pasta to tofu in bulk,and the plastic used to bag bulk products isn't known to be toxic, saysGroth. To play it really safe, you can transfer your bagged items toglass containers at home.
Comments