Hot food in plastic - Yay or Nay?

The fresh and warm food delivered to your doorstep tastes awesome and feels good. Right?

But, hey! 

Have you checked the containers in which they are stored? 

The curry, sambhar, sabzi or any other liquid or semi-liquid food item is stored in a container, and most of the time it is plastic. To deliver you quick warm food, it is immediately packed into the plastic container and delivered as soon as possible. With this delicious food comes the chemicals that are used in the production of plastic containers as well. 

Woah...I didn't know that! How does that happen?

The food containers that are used to deliver your food contain an industrial chemical called Bisphenol-A. It is an organic synthetic compound that is commonly utilised in hard, lightweight plastics called polycarbonates. Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is used in all sorts of plastic containers, cans, feminine hygiene products, toiletries and many other products. In the case of food, when such containers are heated, the chemical leaches into your food, making it toxic. 

Now, you might wonder if there might be other sources through which this compound can enter the body. How can you be so sure that it goes through the food stored in a plastic container? Here's research that shows how humans get the main exposure to bisphenol A through their diet. 

The microwave-safe plastic boxes that are lying around in your kitchen are equally dangerous. On being heated in the microwave, there always remains a chance that your food might get contaminated. Don’t trust the ‘Safe for Microwave’ sign and use it to heat your food. It is always better to use glass plates to store and heat your hot and warm food items. 

Okay, so it’s present! But, why are we avoiding it? Is it that harmful?

BPA that enters your body through the food further gets into the bloodstream. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it disrupts the functions of hormones, especially estrogens. CDC has also found out that more than 90% of humans have detectable levels of bisphenol A in their bodies. It has also been researched that BPA might have several impacts on the fertility of men and women, heart health, thyroid, immune function & other issues. Here are a few eye-opening facts - 

• A study found that blood of women with frequent miscarriages contained 3 times more BPA compared to women with successful pregnancies. 

• People with high BPA levels have a higher chance of getting blood pressure. 

• Higher BPA levels can result in a higher risk of abnormal liver enzyme levels. 

The cost of consuming food stored in plastic can be high in the longer term. It can harm you in multiple ways and create a problem in the way your body functions. 

So, what can be done about it?

Here are a few shifts that you can make in your life, to save your body from harmful chemicals. 

• Choose restaurants wisely - When it comes to ordering food or heating it, make sure no plastic is used in the process. Find restaurants that serve food in non-plastic containers. It might cost a little bit, but staking your health will be much more costly. You can visit restaurants along with your containers to store food. This will make it easier for you and the restaurant. 

• Don’t microwave plastic - Always make this rule when you microwave, no plastic should go inside that appliance. Even if it says that it is safe, avoid using it. You never know what the heat can do to the material. It’s better to use a glass or ceramic plate to heat any food item in the microwave. 

• Avoid Canned Foods - The packing materials used in canned foods and packaged foods contain harmful chemicals that become a part of the food stored in them. Make it a habit to consume fresh foods instead of stored foods to keep your body healthy and alive. 

• Warm beverages - Just like foods, any warm beverage like tea or coffee can do the same harm on being stored in a plastic bag. It is normally seen that people use thick plastic bags to store tea and deliver it. The heat initiates a process that comes with the possibility of toxic chemicals leaching into your warm beverage. 

You will have to let go of that ease of ordering food from hotels without inspection. Ask a few questions before you order about the containers used. There will be restaurants that will have alternatives if you ask for them. Don’t get fooled because you have not seen any impact of eating hot foods in plastic till date on your health. It is a long term process and if you continue with this habit, it will show its results in your later years. 

It’s time we take responsibility for our health and make changes in our lifestyle. Avoiding plastic is not only good for your health but also the planet as well. The less plastic use you promote, the less waste it will generate. It’s a step towards forming a harmonious relationship with mother earth. 

Are you willing to take responsibility? 

Reference

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22889897/  

Author-

brinda shah is a freelance content writer. she is a ca turned into a writer who loves to read, write & meditate. you can connect with her on linkedin and on instagram