Concerns about BPA are not new - but a recent article in The Atlantic explains that BPA "may be even worse than anyone imagined." [Thanks to Emily Berk for pointing me to this article.]
So if you'd like to avoid plastic food storage - especially containers you use in the microwave - what are your options? I've written about this before - see the related posts at the end - but I keep finding more options. Almost all of them come with plastic lids for tight-sealing storage; you can choose to as I do, and use a cloth napkin as a lid when I put such containers in the microwave.
Cooks Illustrated has evaluated three products, and the top-ranked one was Kinetic Go Green Glasslock - available from Chefs and many other places.
Besides the Anchor Hocking and Pyrex options - also mentioned in Cooks - there's the Italian-made Frigoverre line, from Bormioli Rocco Glass Co. Frigoverre has standard clear containers - and has recently added the Frigoverre Fun line, available at The Container Store and many other places. An interesting feature: "You can use a pencil to label what and when you have stored so there's no confusion. The label easily wipes clean for the next use.
Update on March 17, 2014: The Container Store no longer carries the Frigoverre products, although it does carry the Glasslock products mentioned above. You can find the Frigoverre products (although not the Fun line) at Bloomingdale's and Chefscatalog.com.
Another option would be the stoneware products from CorningWare; the Corningware Pop-Ins were "designed for use in oven, microwave, refrigerator, and freezer."
Related Posts:
Plastic Food Storage: OK or Not?
Reader Question: Glass Food Storage
The Latest on Plastic Food Storage - And Alternatives
6 comments:
Wonderful, informative blog post regarding one of my biggest pet peeves!I've been collecting corning at yard sales and getting back to glass for some time now.
I need to switch over, too. I haven't used plastic in the microwave for a long time, but I need to get different containers. Thanks, Jeri!
You're very welcome, MarySees! And glad you liked the post, Secret Pepper Person!
Good eye opener! I generally store and reheat my leftovers in a Pyrex dish, and it never even clicked that the plastic lid could still be harmful! From now on, I'll cover them with wax paper (which I think is okay...)
In my opinion,a meal with canned foods (that contain BPA in the can’s liner) that baked in Pyrex leaches just as much BPA as microwaving in plastic products that contain BPA.
Folks choose a Trusted Brand like Tupperware because it’s shatterproof, versatile, colorful, keep food fresh longer and it has a Lifetime Warranty! The majority of Tupperware does NOT contain BPA! Pyrex can shatter or chip off into food, become harder to clean, it’s heavier, it may not keep food as fresh and it may not be convenient for Little Jimmy’s lunchbox!
If you use canned foods, dental sealants, costume jewelry for kids than you are exposing your kids to BPA. Experts feel that canned foods is the #1 source to exposure to BPA. If you use certain types of Lipsticks, toys and jewelry you open your family to risk of lead exposure. If you drive a car with vinyl seats, you are exposing your children to PVC carcinogens, which have already been banned in over 14 countries.
The BEST advice I can give, is think about what your family's needs are and think about which choices will truly benefit your family. I LOVE TUPPERWARE and I choose to buy Tupperware for Versatility and Life Time Warranty, but I steer clear from the small fraction of BPA Products they offer.
As a concerned mom, it's in our best interest to do everything we can (within reason) to safeguard our children. I have a flyer that I give folks who are concerned about BPA plastics. Less than 10% of Tupperware sold Worldwide contains BPA. Tupperware’s website states “starting in March 2010, they began to use other materials for non-children's products that had been made from polycarbonate for sale in the U.S. and Canada.”
I wouldn't boycott Tupperware, rather just be aware of which pieces contain BPA. Any reputable Tupperware Consultant (such as myself) can offer you a list of which products contain this chemical. Boycotting all plastic products because a few contain BPA would be like boycotting ALL cars because a few had emission problems. The best way we can change the future for our children is to contact our government at all levels and demand these harmful chemicals to be banned!
My website is : www.plasticparties.com If you contact me, I'd love to de-bunk some myths & educate you on OTHER chemicals and products that contain harmful chemicals for your family! Even if you choose not to buy plastics, I will gladly share my information! Knowledge is power. The more knowledge you have from other sources, the more educated you become!
Jennifer, you may have missed my prior post where I wrote about Tupperware (and other brands). Tupperware claims BPA is not a problem; others disagree. And yes - many companies, including Tupperware, are now making plastic food storage that is "BPA-free"; however, some experts claim no plastic food storage is totally safe. We each need to make our own choices.
And yes, there are issues with any choice you make - including possible breakage with glass storage products. Some people who want to avoid plastics use stainless steel containers for packing lunches - but of course these can't go in the microwave.
Personally, I've chosen to eliminate plastic food storage - and I also eliminated canned tomatoes, because of the problem with the lining that you mention. But I understand (and support) those who make other choices.
I agree: Knowledge is power!
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