Quote:
Originally Posted by whell
We use plastic containers regularly. We don't heat food in them, but there has yet to be a credible study that supports a "ban".
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For short term storage, use of plastic containers should be fine. But, you are correct to be concerned about heating food in them. Most plastic food containers are made of PET or HDPE, both of which have fairly low softening temps and can begin to out-gas (Release chemical gases.) at temps easily reached in a typical microwave oven. I've never seen a "study" confirming this, it is just my personal belief. I NEVER reheat in plastic. I always transfer to something made of metal, ceramic, glass, etc. prior to reheating. The Canadians are probably worried about chemicals being released from the plastic bottles as warmed milk is placed, or heated, in the baby bottles. I would think that as long as it is just "warm" as in say 100 degrees, and not much higher it should be okay, however.
I worked in plastics processing for 12 years, so I do know a little bit.
Dave