... What's In Your Kitchen Cupboard?Do you know what you are storing your food in? Here are some important tips. Flip over your favorite plastic food storage container and check the recycling code number on the bottom.
1 polyethyelene terephthalate (PETE)
2 high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
3 vinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
4 low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
5 polypropylene (PP)
6 polystyrene (PS)
7 other (includes polycarbonate, acrylic, polylactic acid, fiberglass)
When you use plastic for food containers, the safer choices are 1, 2, 4 and 5. If there is no number listed, you could try contacting the manufacturer, but you can also simply assume it is type 7; imports do this a lot.
Learn to recognize, and then avoid, polycarbonate (one of the types in the catch-all category of number 7) for food usage. In fact, if you have a number 3 or 7, use those containers for crafts, buttons, or screws, but not food. (Unless you know for a fact that the item is polylactic acid, which has been lumped into category 7, but is actually a relatively safe, biodegradable product).
Number 3 is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), also known as vinyl. PVC has won the nickname, “the toxic plastic” because of the presence of DEHA; one of several plasticizers (softeners) used in its production. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, long-term DEHA exposure is linked to some serious problems like reduced bone mass, damage to liver and testes, and cancer. The manufacture and incineration of PVC also releases carcinogenic dioxins into the nvironment and food chain.
Although PVC is not the most common plastic used for food storage containers, some are made from it and it is often used in plastic wrap to improve performance.
Recycling code number 7 includes several plastic types, but it is predominantly polycarbonate. The type 7 polycarbonate plastics are hard and clear. Common items made from this BPA-containing plastic are food storage containers, baby bottles, water bottles, bowls and tableware. And, I am sorry to tell you, the lining inside many food and drink cans.
Not surprisingly, the plastics industry insists their products are safe (despite much evidence to the contrary), and there is a lot of controversy about what should be done. Meantime, reducing the use of non-biodegradable plastics is a good first step.
Also, as long as you avoid 3, 6, and most category 7 plastics, many of the others can be made safer, by filling them with very hot water or letting them outgas in the sun.
Better yet, when possible, use glass, wax paper, ceramic, or other natural materials for storage. And naturally, reuse and recycle whenever possible.
Remember --
Every little bit makes a world of difference.
