Practical, light and economical, plastic boxes are an integral part of our daily lives. We use them to preserve, heat or transport our food. But as practical as they are, over time, these containers become dangerous for our health. Indeed, plastic contains chemical substances including phthalates or Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor banned in France for a decade, particularly in “packaging coming directly into contact with foodstuffs”. Its involvement would, in fact, be suspected in the appearance of hormonal disturbances, hormone-dependent cancers, obesity and diabetes, as well as effects on the development of children.
Plastic food containers, vectors of risks
When you heat your plastic containers or simply when they become damaged after several years of good and loyal service, the plastic releases these chemicals and contaminates the food. This is called chemical migration. Brian Quoc Le, a food consultant interviewed by the Huffington Post, explains that “plastic components can leach from plastic and migrate into food, and many of them are endocrine disruptors that can impact the balance hormonal. Microplastics can also become loose from plastic when surfaces degrade from repeated use.”
When should you get rid of it?
Over time, food boxes undergo alterations which increase these risks. So pay attention to wear and scratches as well as visible deformation and changes in color or odor. To increase their useful life, avoid heating your food in these boxes or washing them with hot water. “Food-grade plastic containers have an estimated number of dishwasher or hot water washes of 100 times,” says the food consultant. Ideally, prefer glass or stainless steel containers, which are much more durable and suitable for heating your meals.
* Can we continue to use old plastic food containers? Here’s how to find out.