Have you been wondering whether to transition to non-toxic food storage containers? Maybe you’re asking yourself if the storage containers you’re currently using are “safe” to store your family’s food. If they’re plastic, they’re probably not.
Whether you have a small or large family, and you cook or don’t cook at home – having a safe way to store food at home is essential. And you probably want food storage containers that are chemical-free, right?
Why are Plastic Food Storage Containers a Health Hazard?
You’ve probably seen the term BPA-free on many containers, but what is BPA? BPA stands for Bisphenol A which is a chemical used to make plastic harder during manufacturing. When it comes to food storage, you want containers that do not contain BPA as this chemical is known as an endocrine disruptor according to a study published on the National Institutes of Health. Here are some details from the NIH site:
“As an endocrine disruptor, BPA has estrogen-like and anti-androgen effects causing damages to different tissues and organs, including reproductive system, immune system and neuroendocrine system, etc.”
This is not a chemical we want to be ingesting, but unfortunately when we store our foods in many types of plastic containers this is exactly what happens.
But don’t run out just yet to replace your plastic containers with BPA-free plastic containers. What we’ve learned is that there are other chemicals lurking within our plastics that may have even more adverse health effects than BPA. So, the label “BPA-free” is not a stamp of approval that these storage containers are safe. They may still contain other harmful chemicals such as Phthalates (don’t ask me how to pronounce that) which is another endocrine disruptor and also has the reputation of causing cancer.
Just stay away from plastic when it comes to your food storage is the bottom line.
So, what should you use instead of plastic? There are many options for non-toxic food storage containers to choose from including glass, stainless steel, ceramic, and silicone. Learn more about non-toxic glass storage and ceramic containers next.
Read Next: Non-toxic Food Storage: Glass Storage Containers vs. Ceramic
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