Seriously, Stop Reheating Leftovers in the Container They Came in. Here's Why

When hunger and laziness coalesce, reheating last night's takeout or the leftover pasta you took home from a restaurant in the microwave seems like the best idea. But if you don't do it properly, you could be ingesting microplastics and harmful chemicals. But is plastic contamination as dangerous as experts say? All signs point to yes. Study after study has shown that the resulting chemical exposure of microplastics could pose significant health risks, linking to increases in medical issues like infertility and even cancer. 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. ... Read full article.