Comments on: Which Plastics are Microwavable? http://thisgreenblog.com/2009/02/which-plastics-are-microwavable.html Musings, tips and hard information on green living Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:51:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Sheryl http://thisgreenblog.com/2009/02/which-plastics-are-microwavable.html#comment-97736 Sheryl Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:52:16 +0000 #comment-97736 Yes, look for the symbol located on the container (often at the bottom) consisting of a number inside a triangle of chasing arrows. This number identifies the type of plastic for recycling purposes. #1, 2, 4 and 5 plastics are generally regarded as safe for use as food containers -- but as this post explains, not necessarily for microwaving. #3, 6 and 7 are not safe. For a little more information, including the names of each of these plastics, see my column on plastic water bottles found here: http://www.nrdc.org/thisgreenlife/0902.asp Yes, look for the symbol located on the container (often at the bottom) consisting of a number inside a triangle of chasing arrows. This number identifies the type of plastic for recycling purposes.

#1, 2, 4 and 5 plastics are generally regarded as safe for use as food containers — but as this post explains, not necessarily for microwaving.

#3, 6 and 7 are not safe.

For a little more information, including the names of each of these plastics, see my column on plastic water bottles found here:

http://www.nrdc.org/thisgreenlife/0902.asp

]]> By: ALAN http://thisgreenblog.com/2009/02/which-plastics-are-microwavable.html#comment-97733 ALAN Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:36:21 +0000 #comment-97733 Is there a easy way to tell which plastics are safe and which are not. It seems to take alot of time to find out. Then it is confusing for most people!! Is there a easy way to tell which plastics are safe and which are not.
It seems to take alot of time to find out. Then it is confusing for most people!!

]]> By: shasi http://thisgreenblog.com/2009/02/which-plastics-are-microwavable.html#comment-48 shasi Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:19:00 +0000 #comment-48 Is it safe to use melamine ware which is quoted "Microwave safe" in microwave? Is it safe to use melamine ware which is quoted "Microwave safe" in microwave?

]]> By: wakedaddy820 http://thisgreenblog.com/2009/02/which-plastics-are-microwavable.html#comment-49 wakedaddy820 Sun, 10 May 2009 07:28:00 +0000 #comment-49 Personally, I never use a microwave oven (view link from 2nd "Anonymous" or GOOGLE "microwave destroys nutrients") and, until I read this post and the February issue of "This Green Life" through NRDC (through which I found the link to this post), I never considered using food containers made of a material other than plastic (i.e. glass), even if it is #1, #2, or #5, which I aim to use whenever I "need" to use plastic. These articles have been an eye opener for me and I have recently purchased a stainless steel bottle after years of reusing Propel water bottles (due to the preference in the design). Old habits do in fact die hard but even more so when corporations try to cover their lies with half-truths (if that) and deceptions and people actually believe it. I believe that if five (5) minutes were spent on researching each product a person buys, at least half would be reconsidered. The convenience factor is becoming too much of an excuse anymore and I, for one, am tired of it. Personally, I never use a microwave oven (view link from 2nd “Anonymous” or GOOGLE “microwave destroys nutrients”) and, until I read this post and the February issue of “This Green Life” through NRDC (through which I found the link to this post), I never considered using food containers made of a material other than plastic (i.e. glass), even if it is #1, #2, or #5, which I aim to use whenever I “need” to use plastic. These articles have been an eye opener for me and I have recently purchased a stainless steel bottle after years of reusing Propel water bottles (due to the preference in the design). Old habits do in fact die hard but even more so when corporations try to cover their lies with half-truths (if that) and deceptions and people actually believe it. I believe that if five (5) minutes were spent on researching each product a person buys, at least half would be reconsidered. The convenience factor is becoming too much of an excuse anymore and I, for one, am tired of it.

]]> By: Sheryl http://thisgreenblog.com/2009/02/which-plastics-are-microwavable.html#comment-50 Sheryl Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:03:05 +0000 #comment-50 I don't believe that microwaving at 50% power will necessarily do anything to keep you safe from toxic chemicals.<br/><br/>The recommendations that come from plastics companies have to do with such things as avoiding burns or warping of the cover. They have nothing to do with preventing chemicals in the container from migrating to your food. <br/><br/>As to steering clear of #7 plastics, the point of my post is that some plastics OTHER THAN #7 have been shown to leach BPA.<br/><br/>The safer way to microwave is in glass. Most supermarkets carry stackable glass bowls with covers that do the whole refrigerator to microwave thing -- so they're just as convenient as the Tupperware you're using now. I don’t believe that microwaving at 50% power will necessarily do anything to keep you safe from toxic chemicals.

The recommendations that come from plastics companies have to do with such things as avoiding burns or warping of the cover. They have nothing to do with preventing chemicals in the container from migrating to your food.

As to steering clear of #7 plastics, the point of my post is that some plastics OTHER THAN #7 have been shown to leach BPA.

The safer way to microwave is in glass. Most supermarkets carry stackable glass bowls with covers that do the whole refrigerator to microwave thing — so they’re just as convenient as the Tupperware you’re using now.

]]> By: Anonymous http://thisgreenblog.com/2009/02/which-plastics-are-microwavable.html#comment-51 Anonymous Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:41:00 +0000 #comment-51 I try to avoid microwaving in plastic whenever possible. (In fact, I try to avoid my *microwave* whenever possible.) But in a family where both of us - Mom and Dad - work full-time jobs, sometimes we have to compromise. The plastics we use are from Tupperware only, and never #7 (though Tupperware does sell #7s). Our Tupperware consultant has told us, however, that plastics are NEVER meant to be microwaved on full power. They should be microwaved at 50% power only. Why is this point never made in articles? I try to avoid microwaving in plastic whenever possible. (In fact, I try to avoid my *microwave* whenever possible.) But in a family where both of us – Mom and Dad – work full-time jobs, sometimes we have to compromise. The plastics we use are from Tupperware only, and never #7 (though Tupperware does sell #7s). Our Tupperware consultant has told us, however, that plastics are NEVER meant to be microwaved on full power. They should be microwaved at 50% power only. Why is this point never made in articles?

]]> By: Anonymous http://thisgreenblog.com/2009/02/which-plastics-are-microwavable.html#comment-52 Anonymous Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:51:00 +0000 #comment-52 http://www.relfe.com/microwave.html http://www.relfe.com/microwave.html

]]> By: Sheryl http://thisgreenblog.com/2009/02/which-plastics-are-microwavable.html#comment-53 Sheryl Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:47:38 +0000 #comment-53 It would have been nice if The Society for the Plastics Industry had signed the above comment so people would know that an interested party wrote it. A link to its blog is hardly sufficient identification.<br/><br/>It would be great if we could put our faith in the FDA, but unfortunately, the FDA has not done its job when it comes to protecting the public from BPA. The agency has been roundly criticized by its own scientific advisory board, among others, for ignoring a mountain of evidence showing that BPA is harmful. <br/><br/>In response, the FDA agreed in December to reconsider its earlier assessment that BPA in food packaging is safe. The new assessment is due out later this month. We can only hope the FDA does a better job this time.<br/><br/>Journal Sentinel<br/>Plastics industry behind FDA research on bisphenol A, study finds<br/>http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/34469194.html<br/><br/>New York Times<br/>F.D.A. to Reconsider Plastic Bottle Risk<br/>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/24/dining/24chem.html<br/><br/>New York Times<br/>Well: Panel Rebukes F.D.A. on Plastic Safety<br/>http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/panel-rebukes-fda-on-plastic-safety/ It would have been nice if The Society for the Plastics Industry had signed the above comment so people would know that an interested party wrote it. A link to its blog is hardly sufficient identification.

It would be great if we could put our faith in the FDA, but unfortunately, the FDA has not done its job when it comes to protecting the public from BPA. The agency has been roundly criticized by its own scientific advisory board, among others, for ignoring a mountain of evidence showing that BPA is harmful.

In response, the FDA agreed in December to reconsider its earlier assessment that BPA in food packaging is safe. The new assessment is due out later this month. We can only hope the FDA does a better job this time.

Journal Sentinel
Plastics industry behind FDA research on bisphenol A, study finds
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/34469194.html

New York Times
F.D.A. to Reconsider Plastic Bottle Risk
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/24/dining/24chem.html

New York Times
Well: Panel Rebukes F.D.A. on Plastic Safety
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/panel-rebukes-fda-on-plastic-safety/

]]> By: Anonymous http://thisgreenblog.com/2009/02/which-plastics-are-microwavable.html#comment-54 Anonymous Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:28:00 +0000 #comment-54 Plastic containers are not dangerous to use in the microwave if they are used in accordance with the directions on their packaging or the container itself. Everybody needs to be sure to use plastics for their intended purpose and in accordance with directions. Many plastic containers are specially designed to withstand microwave temperatures. Be sure yours is one of them. The FDA does acknowledge that substances in plastics can leach into food when the plastic containers are used incorrectly. However, the FDA does not consider this to be a significant risk to humans. The FDA maintains that: "The agency has assessed migration levels of substances added to regulated plastics and has found the levels to be well within the margin of safety based on information available to the agency."<br/><br/>Visit http://www.inthehopper.org Plastic containers are not dangerous to use in the microwave if they are used in accordance with the directions on their packaging or the container itself. Everybody needs to be sure to use plastics for their intended purpose and in accordance with directions. Many plastic containers are specially designed to withstand microwave temperatures. Be sure yours is one of them. The FDA does acknowledge that substances in plastics can leach into food when the plastic containers are used incorrectly. However, the FDA does not consider this to be a significant risk to humans. The FDA maintains that: “The agency has assessed migration levels of substances added to regulated plastics and has found the levels to be well within the margin of safety based on information available to the agency.”

Visit http://www.inthehopper.org

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