Ziploc, Rubbermaid Sued for Microplastics Exposure. Are Plastic Food Containers Safe to Use?

Newell Brands, the maker of Rubbermaid, is facing a class action lawsuit for its claims that the plastic-based containers are "microwave safe" and "freezer safe." The complaint alleges that despite the products' marketing, they can release microplastics into food when used as directed. Ziploc was hit with a similar class action lawsuit earlier this week. Ziploc storage bags are made from polyethylene and polypropylene. These types of plastics are known to release microplastics into foods when exposed to extreme temperatures, something that is not mentioned on Ziploc's packaging. "Repeated exposure to extreme temperatures -- cold or hot -- stresses plastic materials and can lead to the breakdown of their surface layers, releasing tiny plastic particles into food," said Brad Younggren of Circulate Health. When you microwave food in plastic, the heat accelerates how much microplastics leach into the food. "Similarly, freezing and thawing cycles can cause structural degradation that als ... Read full article.