Is it Safe to Heat Food in Plastic Bowls?

Phthalates and BPA

• BPA or Bisphenol A is a chemical used for making strong plastic items such as drinking bottles. Sometimes, BPA is also used inside metal food cans to prevent them from rusting. In addition to this, phthalates are man-made chemicals added to plastic items in order to increase their transparency, longevity and flexibility. Both these chemicals leach out when they are heated and get mixed with foods or beverages.

Sources of Phthalates and BPA

• Food storage containers, plastic bottles, flexible plastic items, PVC tubing or products like water pipes contain phthalates. Sources of BPA are baby bottles made of hard plastic, sippers and metal cans that can be used for storing infant formula and other food items. Therefore, when food is heated in plastic containers, the chemicals in them get leached into the food and may affect the health of those who consume them.

Health Effects of Phthalates and BPA

• Phthalates are found to cause changes in the reproductive hormones in children, followed by increased allergies, eczema and runny nose. They may lead to changes in the quality of sperm in adults. BP can lead to changes in cells of breasts, uterus and prostate, thus increasing the risks of cancers. Other than these, contamination of the chemicals in our food may also lead to asthma, earlier puberty in girls, feminization of boys, high blood cholesterol, obesity, kidney, lung and liver damage, lower acetylcholine level, miscarriage and testicular cancer.

Determine Whether a Plastic Bowl is Safe to Heat Food or Not

• Before using a plastic bowl to heat food in a microwave oven, look at the bowl's bottom to see a number in a triangle with arrows. Bowls with numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 are safe to use, but avoid using bowls which have 3, 6 or 7 numbers. Bowls with number 3 contain phthalates, number 6 contain polystyrene foam and 7 contain BPA. When number 3, 6 or 7 are heated, a toxic chemical called styrene may leach into the food. If there is no number on the bottom of the bowl, play it safe and do not heat food in it; use a glass container instead.