Microwavable containers may be unsafe: CF

The CF issued the warning after completing evaporation residue tests on 20 samples of microwavable plastic containers sold in retail markets.

The results showed that evaporation residues in six of the 20 samples, or approximately 30 percent, were at levels higher than 10 mg/cm2 — the standard set by the European Union for plastic food containers. Also of concern, cadmium levels found in the cover of one sample were higher than 100 ppm.

Wu Chia-cheng, a CF member and a professor of chemistry at National Taiwan Normal University, noted that of the seven types of plastics, polyvinyl chloride polymer (PVC) and polycarbonate (PC) are the most toxic.

Both kinds of plastics can release bishenol-A, an estrogen receptor agonist that can disrupt hormones if consumed, Wu said.

Plastic containers resistant to high temperatures will not deform under high heat, but this doesn’t mean they will not release toxic substances, according to Wu.

He advised consumers to avoid using plastic film and instead, use ceramic containers when heating food in microwave ovens.

The professor also urged the public not to use disposable red plastic bowls, which he said contains cadmium. “I would rather skip any banquet if such plastic bowls are used,” he said.

On another front, he urged the government to adopt more stringent standards to regulate the cadmium content in food containers, claiming the current limit of 100 ppm is too lax compared with the 5 ppb standard set for drinking water.

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