How Safe are Holiday Leftovers Microwaved in Plastic?
Most people do not think twice about covering their holiday leftovers in plastic and re-heating them in the microwave. But maybe they should. Studies done have shown that in some plastics, a chemical called DEHA can seep into food when heated. High levels of the DEHA have been shown to cause cancer in some lab animals. Consumers are urged to follow the guidelines offered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on how to safely re-heat food in the microwave. For example, the guidelines call for leaving at least two inches of space between plastic wrap and food when microwaving. In addition, microwave-safe plastic wrap should be placed loosely over the food to keep in moisture and allow food to cook evenly. According to the FDA, the following items are safe to use in microwaves: • microwave-safe plastic wraps • wax paper • cooking bags • parchment paper • white microwave-safe paper towels Items that should never be microwaved include: • plastic storage bags • grocery bags • newspapers •
