When hunger and laziness coincide, reheating last night's leftovers in the microwave seems like a great idea. But if you reheat them in the plastic container they came in, you put yourself at risk for ingesting microplastics and harmful chemicals.
You may be wondering, "Is plastic contamination as dangerous as experts say?" Unfortunately, all signs point to yes. Study after study has shown that the resulting chemical exposure of microplastics could pose significant health risks and they have been linked to increases in medical issues like infertility and even cancer. Here's how to safely reheat your leftovers.
Most takeout containers are not heat-safe
Most black plastic containers are not microwave-safe. Image by Marie LaFauci / Getty
"If you're using takeout containers to reheat food, they need to be labeled as heat-safe," advises Ricardo Jarquin, executive chef of Loews Coral Gables in Miami. "Most restaurants do not use them because they're more expensive."
Aluminum, cardboard and paper-based containers are typically plastic-free and safe to store and reheat food. Cheap plastic takeout containers are mostly not safe and should never be used to reheat food. Styrofoam is even worse because it melts in the microwave, a clear indication that it is an unsafe vessel for reheating food.
Read more: These 7 Takeout Containers Don't Belong in the Recycling Bin
What to use instead of plastic
It might sound like more work but bringing your own food storage container for leftovers is the safest bet. FreshSplash/Getty
So what's the best way to reheat that delicious meal? We chatted with Jarquin, who has overseen culinary operations and food safety protocol for major hotel chains including Four Seasons, Hilton, and Marriott, as well as Hope Montgomery, owner of Brick & Mortar in St. Petersburg, FL, to get the skinny on safe use of takeout containers.
... continue reading