GoKawiilWhen you need to satisfy your hunger quickly, reheating last night's leftovers in the microwave seems like the best solution. But if you warm them up in a plastic container, you are putting yourself at risk for ingesting microplastics.
With mictroplastics being a common topic lately, you may be wondering if plastic contamination is as dangerous as people say it is. 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 everything to know about safely reheating your leftovers.
Most takeout containers are not heat-safe
Most black plastic containers are not microwave-safe. Image by Marie LaFauci/Getty Images
"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 Images
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