Question from kerinreed
I have now switched all my old plastic water bottles for metal, etc. but this makes me wonder about all my plastic storage containers. I use Tupperware, Rubbermaid, Glad, and anything I can find with a lid to store my leftovers, pack a lunch, freeze short-term. I also keep my empty plastics on a shelf in my garage when they are not in use. I can’t think any of this is safe when it is not safe to freeze or heat a water bottle. What cn be used for storage and transportation of food?
Debra’s Answer
Different types of plastic containers are made from different plastics. And these plastics are different from the plastic used to make plastic water bottles.
Personally, I use a lot of glass. I also use those Glad containers. They are made from polypropylene plastic, which has minimal toxicity. I never put hot food in them, only cold. But I prefer glass.
If you are nervous about transporting glass, tie cotton bandanas around the jars or bottles. This cushions the glass and helps to keep it from breaking.
Debra and Liz,
Thank you so much for this comment and information. I appreciated it.
Hi again, Debra. Do you know where you obtained the information that freezing lessens outgassing? My husband found this:”Temperature changes, both hot and cold, can break down the fibers in plastic and make the plastic chemicals more likely to continue to leak into your food.” (here: http://glutenfreewithjudee.blogspot.com/2014/05/food-and-plastic-dont-mix.html) Thanks.
I don’t remember my original source for that, but it’s obvious by observing. Heat melts plastic, cold doesn’t. She doesn’t state her source for her claim that cold breaks down plastic.
But I am concerned about some other things said in her article. She’s not specific about which plastics are which. Not all plastics contain BPA. Not all plastics contain phthalates. In fact, the disposable plastic containers designed for food storage, such as Glad containers, are made from food-safe polyethylene, which contain neither.
There are other reasons to never use plastic, but keep in mind that not all plastics are toxic.
If you can find an actual study that says cold breaks down plastic, I’ll be happy to take a look at it.
Hi Debra. I emailed yesterday about freezing tomatoes in plastic, then found this post. I since discovered that my containers (by Arrow Plastics) are #2, polyethylene HDPE . So I checked the Glad brand per your comment, and they are also made from polyethylene , not polypropylene: https://www.glad.com/faq/ so maybe that’s changed since you checked a couple years ago. Do you think polyethylene is OK for freezing tomatoes? I’m having a hard time wrapping my brain around canning or freezing in glass, though I’m sure that’s the best solution.
I think it’s fine to freeze your tomatoes in polyethylene. Not only is it not toxic, but freezing lessens outgassing. If you don’t want to use glass, this is the next best choice.