Plastic Containers and Food Storage

Which containers are safe? This article from Women’s Day gives a fairly decent outline and recommendations, although it falls short: Plastic Containers for Food Storage. I like it because it is aimed at more mainstream people than myself so maybe it will be more readily acceptable and a good article for sharing.

Now for my three food storage plastic rules.

1. I only use plastics when a glass container is not feasible.

2. I only use plastics that are numbers 2, 4 and 5 for food storage.

3. When using a plastic for food storage, I line it with natural wax paper. I don’t really trust any plastic to be in contact with food.

Regarding water, I prefer reusable plastic BPA-free Nalgene  bottles. That way I control the water that is used and the way it is stored. I don’t trust store bought bottled water for several reasons.

1. Disposable bottles can be heated and cooled during transport and storage, degrading the plastic and releasing chemicals.

2. Disposable bottled water is likely not well filtered and my home filter does a better job.

3. Perhaps most important, disposable plastic water bottle drinkers are helping to accelerate the destruction of the earth. The amount of waste they cause from their production to disposable is earthshaking. There are many articles documenting the problems with disposable water bottles, so just do a search or take a quick look at this one: So What's the Big Deal with Plastic Water Bottles?

What about stainless steel water bottles? For my family, the cost of stainless steel exceeds the benefit, as we believe a properly cared for Nalgene (cleanliness and no temperature extremes/dishwasher) is as safe and much less costly.

Comments

[oxo containers]

I prefer to keep all my food in oxo plastic storage containers. Oxo is safe and I like all Oxo's products.

[stop ringing in ears]

I prefer not to keep food for next day. Eat fresh today and go away.