Microwave Safe?

Never hurts to remind everyone: It’s important you actually know something is microwave safe and don’t just assume it. Some plastics aren’t made to withstand high temperatures. Unsafe materials can leach into your food.

Actually, microwave-safe plastics do too, just at levels the FDA has deemed “well within the margin of safety based on information available to the agency. The FDA will revisit its safety evaluation if new scientific information raises concerns.”

Let’s just hope this isn’t a repeat of the “tolerable” lead levels for children which were grossly overestimated in past decades. Here are some more things to keep in mind (courtesy of the FDA):

“Carryout containers from restaurants and margarine tubs should not be used in the microwave, according to the American Plastics Council. Inappropriate containers may melt or warp, which can increase the likelihood of spills and burns. Also, discard containers that hold prepared microwavable meals after you use them because they are meant for one-time use.

“Microwave-safe plastic wrap should be placed loosely over food so that steam can escape, and should not directly touch your food. ‘Some plastic wraps have labels indicating that there should be a one-inch or greater space between the plastic and the food during microwave heating,’” says Edward Machuga, PhD, a consumer safety officer in the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

Finally, “never use plastic storage bags, grocery bags, newspapers, or aluminum foil in the microwave.”