food storage - The Tips One Should Know About
All of us are using the convenience of the food storage plastic containers. It is easy to put some dinner leftovers in them and warm them up the next day for lunch. But not a lot of us realize that with our lunch we can also eat up some harmful toxic chemicals. It all depends on the type of container you are using.
Many plastic containers have numbers on the bottom which indicate their quality. For example, clear polycarbonate containers with the number 7 indicator on the bottom are a source of bisphenol A. This chemical is dangerous and can cause hormone disruption, cancer in lab animals. It is also very dangerous because it contains in most plastic baby bottles and is the source of behavioral disorders in kids. That is why is better to stay away from number 7 plastic containers. Then, there is also number 6 polystyrene. It is used in plastic foams that are a material for fast food restaurants containers, coffee cups and containers for instant noodles and soups. Such containers are a source of styrene which is considered to be one of the cancer causing genes and possible reproductive and hormone system disrupter. Another harmful plastics used for food containers are made of polyvinyl chloride. These containers have a number 3 indicator on the bottom and carry phthalate compounds that cause problems with spleen, kidneys and liver. It is so bad that it is prohibited in Europe.
All these containers shouldn’t be even near the food. But, unfortunately, you often find them used in the kitchen. The clear plastic film u wrap sandwiches in or cover leftovers with it is full of phthalate. Lots of delis use plastic containers that have bisphenol A in them. All these chemicals are hiding in such food containers and when you put one of them in your microwave and they heat up lots of bad chemical compounds are released into your food.
But, of course, there is a solution to every problem. First, make sure that the plastic food containers that are used in your kitchen are marked only with numbers 1, 2, 4, or 5. These are the safest indicators and there are lots of containers, bags and plastic clear wraps that are made out of safer plastic. Unfortunately, not all of the packages provide us with the information what number plastic is used in the container or bag, but you could go online and find out the list of brands that produce safer plastic food containers. There are plenty of them.
But there is also another solution to that. You could simply use glass containers. This way you stay away from any chemicals and risk to your health. You are sure that it is made out of recyclable material and you don’t have to replace them often. So, consider this useful information when practicing your food storage.
Do you know that food storage can save you from lots of troubles during different emergency cases. Read more about food storage and food storage issues in particular.