April 7 is World Health Day and this year’s theme is Food Safety.
April 7 is World Health Day and this year’s theme is Food Safety.
A wide variety of kitchen containers is now available to complement the modern kitchen and all its conveniences. They are found in all kinds of shapes and sizes and many handy designs. However, do you know that the material used to manufacture the container is equally important? This is because chemicals present in the material of kitchen containers have the potential to get transferred to humans via exposure through the skin or the food stored in it.
Do’s for good health in the kitchen
1. Eliminate chemicals that are known to be harmful
Commonly-used plastic kitchen containers have harmful chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and glyme. The European Union and Canada have banned the use of BPA in baby bottles.
- BPA - It is usually found in food containers and canned foods. It is proved to disrupt the functioning of the endocrine system. The chemical has also been linked to early puberty, reproductive issues, obesity, neurological issues, low sperm count, higher rates of diabetes and prostate and breast cancer.
- Phthalates - They are found in soft plastics. They have been associated with increased risk of testicular cancer, increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth, male genital deformities, as well as lowering of human sperm count and male fertility.
- Glyme - It is found in printed materials present on packaging. It has been proven to cause reproductive and developmental damage. Glyme is associated with testicular degeneration, bone marrow suppression, thymus atrophy and miscarriages.
2. Wash plastic kitchen containers carefully
If you use dishwashers to wash kitchen containers, be aware that very hot water is used to clean them. That’s how plates and glasses come out looking so clean. But, heating plastics too much poses the risk of unleashing the chemicals present in it. Thus, plastic kitchen containers should be washed by hand in lukewarm water.
3. Use glass kitchen containers instead of plastic
While it may not be practical to throw away all your plastic containers immediately, start switching to glass containers. The safest containers are those that are made completely of glass, including the lids. For carrying containers while traveling, choose the ones that have a plastic lid but ensure that the quality of plastic used is good.
Don’ts for good health in the kitchen
4. Do not reheat food in plastic kitchen containers
Food should never be reheated in a plastic container, even if it is labeled ‘microwave safe.’ The most dependable materials to heat food in are china and glass. Plastic, of all types, contains chemicals that are likely to leach into the food being heated. This is how chemicals from plastic containers find their way in our food. Over time, accumulation of these chemicals in our body causes havoc with our organ systems.
Take-out plastic containers have the highest levels of harmful chemicals, so food should not be reheated in them. It is better to discard such containers.
5. Do not use bulging cans or cracked jars with bulging or loose lids.
For your safety and to retain the goodness of food, swollen cans or cracked jars should not be used. There could be two reasons for why a can of food gets swollen.
- Hydrogen swelling - The first cause is ‘hydrogen swelling’ and it occurs in cans that contain acidic foods such as citrus fruits or tomatoes. When the acids present in such foods react with the metal lining of the can and begin to dissolve it, hydrogen gas is formed. Since the hydrogen gas cannot escape, the can becomes swollen.
- Improper food processing - The second cause of bulging cans is improper food processing. If the food has not been sterilized properly before canning it, certain anaerobic organisms remain alive. These grow in the oxygen-less environment of the can and spoil the food. Carbon dioxide gas is released in the process, making the can swell.
As a consumer, you should be well-informed about the health hazards of using plastics to store your food. Making a consciously healthy choice will go a long way in ensuring that you and your family is safe.
Originally published on www.thehealthsite.com
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