So, here comes another question — can you use number 6 Styrofoam inside a microwave? Please note that microwaving 6 Styrofoam is not recommended unless the container is marked as microwave-safe.
Microwaving Styrofoam may not always be bad, but it can expose you to potential health concerns and issues. Most of you often use a microwave when it comes to reheating, cooking, and even defrosting a variety of food options.
However, there is a problem! Since a microwave oven uses electromagnetic radiation techniques to generate heat, it imposes a strong restriction on the type of material you should use inside it. Needless to say, Styrofoam can be synonymous with plastic foam material. It has versatile usage and is considered to be a popular material for food containers which is mostly used by restaurants and fast-food outlets.
Consider a situation when you have bought restaurant food and it comes in the Styrofoam containers. You must now be wondering whether you can directly place these containers inside your microwave? If yes, then you will get all your queries answered in this article. Styrofoam is a synthetic material that contains a blend of toxic compounds that may melt, warp or leach harmful chemicals into your food when introduced to high heat inside a microwave. Please note that there are both traditional Styrofoam and microwave-safe Styrofoam, so risks can be reduced when the proper type is used.
Traditional Styrofoam is safe for storing and transporting food. However, the it will melt and break down when it is exposed to high heat inside a microwave. Tests have shown that in high levels these compounds are carcinogenic can cause cancer , can damage reproductive systems, and have a number of other unpleasant qualities.
High or prolonged heat causes the material to break and melt, which in turn leeches styrene and benzene into foods. The last thing you want to do is put styrofoam in the microwave, or burning it at all. Styrofoam at normal temperatures has been certified as fine to come in contact with foods , but microwaving styrofoam will leech out dangerous chemicals. It may still be called styrofoam and look like the same product in some cases , but the ingredients are different from the traditional version, and designed specifically to withstand heat more effectively.
Is this newer version of styrofoam microwave safe? Yes — for the most part. The FDA requires extensive tests for these materials to make sure that any chemical leeching meets safety levels for a lifetime of use. If material tests pass the FDA review, they will have a notification on the material that it can be used in a microwave. When it doubt, throw it out.
If there is any sign that the material is melting or breaking down, throw it and the food out rather than take the chance!
Great article and information. However, I have a question. Styrofoam is a type of plastic, and toxic chemicals may leach out of these products into the food that they contain especially when exposed to heat. While you can put styrofoam containers in the microwave , the heat of it's contents could melt the container and destroy your meal. Likewise, how long can you microwave Styrofoam? If your container doesn't have a microwave safe symbol, we don't recommend putting it in the microwave.
Not even for 20 seconds! The microwaveable symbol looks like a microwave with wavy lines. Because Styrofoam products are manufactured all over the world, the standard symbol can vary.
To summarize, plastics in categories 2, 4 and 5 are generally considered safe. Plastics 1, 3, 6 and 7 should be used with varying to extreme caution, especially around food or drink. Avoid microwaving polystyrene containers that do not have a microwave -safe label, as their safety cannot be assured. That's because polystyrene containers contain a compound called styrene, which has been linked to cancer. Not Microwave Safe: 3, 6 , 7. Can you get cancer from microwaving plastic?
However, plastics don't contain dioxins. Can you microwave paper? Paper towels, wax paper, parchment paper, paper plates and bowls are fine in the microwave. Newspaper is not sanitary and it leaches ink into whatever you're cooking, so don't use it.
Brown paper bags are never safe in the microwave because they can't withstand a lot of heat and can catch fire. What is the logo for microwave safe?
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