serenemaklong.blogspot.com
Consumers are advised not reuse plastic food and water containers. The quality of such products was “questionable” and they are at risk of being exposed to chemicals which might seep into the food or liquid.
Takeaway plastic food containers used in eating outlets are disposable items and designed for single use only. They are not intended for repeated storage of food.
For repeated storage of food, consumers should use reusable plastic food containers such as cups, plates, bowls, bottles and boxes. These containers have attributes such as sturdiness and thermal stability. Takeaway food containers which are labelled “microwave safe” for reheating should not be reused.
As for mineral water plastic bottles, it is not advisable to keep on reusing them. It is not easy to clean. One can never reach the inside and in hot weather, the stability is questionable.
This is the result of a study commissioned by the Malaysia Ministry of Health to the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, and carried out by Prof Dr Mustafa Ali Mohamad.
The study showed that in 45 of the 47 containers examined, at least one chemical was detected. However, the level of the leachate detected was low. The scope of the study was to analyse chemicals in plastic polystyrene food containers. The chemicals analysed were styrene monomer, bisphenol A (BPA), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyle phthalate (BBP), di- 2-ethylexyl adipate (DEHA) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).
The samples included different types of food and water containers and were extracted at room temperature for 30 minutes. Though the level of chemicals was low one cannot rule out the small amounts excreted which will accumulate in the body.
BBP can affect a person’s endocrine function such as the thyroid gland and pancreas. Freeze meat directly in its original commercial plastic wrapping. For long storage, rewrap or over-wrap the meat tightly with moisture-proof freezer bags to maintain the quality and texture of the meat.
No comments:
Post a Comment