Being modern has always come with cost and some of the things we take for granted are the very ones which rush us into our graves prematurely.
Scientists have now established that microwaving food wrapped in plastic is damaging to health and should be avoided.
According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, �when food is wrapped in plastic or placed in a plastic container and microwaved, substances used in manufacturing the plastic may leak into the food.�.
It warns what fatty foods such as meat and cheeses cause a chemical know as deithythexyl adipate to leach out of the plastic.
As a result of these scientific findings, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States of America is rigorously regulating plastic containers and materials that come into contact with food.
The FDA insists that manufactures must test plastic containers to meet its standards and specifications.
Gray Rouberg, an expert on the issue, writes that if not labeled microwave safe, plastic takeout containers, water bottles and tubs made to hold margarine, yogurt, whipped toppings, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard are potentially hazardous. According to Plastic Info, �unless a product is labeled for microwave suitability, you won�t have the assurance of knowing that an items was tested and evaluated for this purpose. The concern is that, if used inappropriately, an item may warp or melt when exposed to extremely hot foods, and accidental burns could occur.�
Environmental Working Group agrees: �Microwaves heat unevenly, creating hot spots where the plastic is more likely to break down.� Scratches and abrasions to microwave-safe containers may render them unfit for microwave as well.
The FDA notes that according to the American Plastic Council, if you don�t vent containers properly by lifting the edge of a lid or cover, microwaving can result in a dangerous buildup of steam that can cause burns. Green Living Online states, �Both the FDA and Health Canada warn that using plastic containers and wrap for anything other than their original purpose can cause health problems.
In most cases this means not reusing plastic containers or water bottles. The main concern is with food becoming contaminated due to leakages of the chemicals used to manufacture plastic, especially when the plastic is heated or damaged.�
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