Using plastic containers to store leftovers is common, but dangerous because some foods should not be mixed with plastic. Not only does your food taste plastic from storing it in it, but plastic containers promote the reproduction of bacteria and mold, doubling the risk of food poisoning.
Plastic contains endocrine disruptors
Health risks, loss of taste or nutritional value, and plastic can harm your diet and overall health on a daily basis. It specifically contains ingredients classified as endocrine disruptors such as BPA or phthalates.
“Bisphenol A was banned in food containers in 2015, but has been replaced by other bisphenols (S and F) which, as they are structurally similar, are potentially problematic.,” explained Dr. Laurent Chevalier, a nutritionist, in a previous article.
Likewise, it’s important not to reheat your dishes directly in plastic containers, as Top Santé emphasizes.
The heat promotes the migration of bacteria in the plastic to the food. “Yogurt in a plastic container does not cause many problems, because the contact time between the food and the container is short and the food is cold”, Note Laurent Chevalier again.
The solution ? Watch for foods that lose their nutritional value when they come into contact with plastic and opt for healthier glass containers. Here are the foods that should not be stored in plastic containers:
the meat : When cooked and placed in a plastic container, it will decompose more quickly and there will then be a change in taste and texture. But it is also not recommended to come into contact with meat when it is raw: contact with plastic will accelerate the aging of the meat.
eggs : Avoid contact with eggs and plastic in all its forms: boiled, fried or fried. It should never be stored in plastic. The same for all egg-based foods, such as mayonnaise, due to the risk of contamination with salmonella or Escherichia coli bacteria.
raw vegetables: Do not put freshly cut vegetables in a plastic case: they may soften and wilt more quickly, and then they will lose a large part of their nutritional value.
Soups (and all hot dishes): Do not immediately pour it into a plastic container. Wait until it cools down, otherwise its composition and taste will change upon direct contact with plastic. The same applies to all hot dishes, sauce dishes, etc.
Cheese : When sealed in a plastic box, the cheese will release water that will eventually build up and encourage mold formation. Many bacteria can contaminate cheese. To avoid indigestion, it is better to leave the cheese in its original package or in a glass case.
smoked salmon: Smoked salmon, stored in a plastic case, may turn brown and thus lose its freshness. To keep it longer, prefer a glass jar or wrap smoked salmon fillets in aluminum foil.
green power: Do you have leftovers and don’t want to get rid of them? Do not keep it in a plastic box because the freshness and crunch of the salad will disappear automatically. More so if there is sauce or vinaigrette: The nutritional quality of the salad diminishes as well as its taste when it is in the sauce.
fruits Like raw vegetables, finely chopped fruits are not kept in plastic containers. It is best to keep it in a basket at room temperature. When locked in, they will shrivel and lose their taste, but above all their vitamins.
Yogurt : If you are making yogurt yourself, it is recommended to keep it in small glass or earthenware containers to limit the spread of bacteria. Likewise, if you want to transfer the remainder of the fromage blanc pot to a smaller pot: temperature changes can be dangerous.
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