Microwave Safe Plastic Numbers

To summarize plastics in categories 2 4 and 5 are generally considered safe.

Microwave safe plastic numbers. An analysis of 455 common plastic products including supposedly bpa free ones found that 70 tested positive for estrogenic activity. Be weary of putting them in the microwave even if they are labeled microwave safe. While plastic containers have been vilified for potential health risks some are ok to use. Avoid putting type 3 pvc type 6 polystyrene and type 7 polycarbonate into a microwave oven.

According to rolf halden the director for the center for environmental security at the biodesign institute at arizona state university the amounts of bpa and phthalates leaching into food depends on the type of plastic that s put in the microwave the amount of time it s heated and the condition of the container. That number went up to 95 when the plastics were microwaved. Microwave safe plastic guide. Find out which are safe and which may be hazardous.

Microwave safe containers go through stringent fda testing to ensure that at temperatures reached in the microwave oven the amount of chemicals that leach out of the plastic is no more than 100. Plastic product is deemed microwave safe. To choose a microwave safe container start by checking the packaging or the bottom of the dish for labels such as microwave safe or a wavy line symbol which means the container can be microwaved. Plastics 1 3 6 and 7 should be used with varying to extreme caution especially around food or drink.

Is it safe to microwave plastic. In sum glass and microwave safe ceramic dishware are. Although the number within the recycling symbol won t definitely determine if the plastic is necessarily recyclable it does definitely specify what is not microwaveable. You can identify containers made from pp by looking on the bottom for the pp stamp or a recycling sign with the number 5 in the middle.

If you must wash plastics marked dishwasher safe place them in the top rack far from the heating element consumer reports advises.