Nowadays, it is not uncommon for one to stumble upon emails or write-ups that highlight the dangers of using plastic food packaging, especially plastic wraps and bags. These emails and write-ups often claim that, when heated, a plastic wrap releases carcinogens -- substances that are capable of causing cancer. For this reason, should you avoid eating hot food out of plastic bags, wraps, and bowls?
WHAT HARMFUL CHEMICALS, IF ANY, DOES PLASTIC HAVE?
Some plastics, not all, are made from materials containing Phthalate and bisphenol A (BPA).
Phthalate is used to soften plastic; most plastic bags and wraps could be made from it. BPA, on the other hand, is used to make hard, shatterproof plastic; most plastic bowls could be made from it.
When heated, a plastic food packaging made from these chemicals could leach them into your foods. The thing is, these chemicals are hormone disruptors. They can affect hormone production in your body, resulting in several health problems, including disorders of your reproductive organs. What's worse, these chemicals increase your risk of breast or prostate cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, etc.
ARE ALL PLASTIC FOOD PACKAGINGS TOXIC?
Some plastics are safer than others. Some plastics are made from heat-resistant materials, and they are considered heatproof. Even better, some of these plastic food packagings do not contain an iota of Phthalate or bisphenol A (BPA).
In Cameroon, the thing is, there is no way of knowing which plastic is safe and which isn't. Manufacturers are not required to list the actual makeup of their plastic food packagings.
WHAT CAN THE GOVERNMENT DO?
The sale of plastic food packagings, especially plastic bags and wraps, should be controlled. Put simply, plastic bags and wraps made from the abovementioned chemicals should be banned. Even nicer, the government should encourage the use of food packagings that are healthy and environment-friendly.
In addition, manufacturers should list the actual chemical makeup of their products, especially plastic bowls, on the boxes. This way, the public has a choice -- to use or not to use these products.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
As previously mentioned, when heated, some plastic bags, wraps, and bowls could leach harmful chemicals into your food. This could be prevented by using ceramic or glass bowls as food packaging.
Also, avoid using plastic bowls to heat or cook food in a microwave. If you must, use plastic bowls labelled “microwave-safe.” Better still, use glass or ceramic bowls labelled "heatproof" or "microwave-safe" to heat or cook food.
CONCLUSION
Most plastic food packagings, including plastic bags, wraps, and bowls, are laced with toxic chemicals. These plastic packagings can release trace amounts of whatever chemical they are made of.
The bottom line is, there is hardly any material -- short of ceramics -- that doesn't leach something. In essence, if possible, do not store, heat or cook, or package your food using plastics -- use glass or ceramics where indicated.
- Dr Ndifor Judethaddeus
***Dr Ndifor is currently a resident specialising in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine