There are a lot of beautiful containers out there, calling your name! Most are best used for decoration-and many are food containers to be avoided.
Imported ceramics-food containers to avoid
Food containers to avoid include ceramics from other countries, such as China and Mexico. While ceramic dishes come from all over the world, the FDA recommends that ceramic dishes specifically imported from China — where manufacturing practices may not be as carefully regulated — be vigilantly monitored for lead content. So, currently, there is no known safe blood lead level. As well, ceramics from Mexico may also contain high levels of lead. This pottery is for decoration ONLY! Usually these items are not marked “for decoration only.” If you ever purchase any pottery or dishes of any kind that do have a sticker warning you that the item is for decoration only, BELIEVE it! More on this topic in my upcoming resource, The Non-toxic Kitchen.
Take out containers or other empty plastic containers
Other food containers to avoid reusing are take out containers and containers of most dairy products. Restaurants and delis provide containers that should not be used more than once. The same goes for containers for yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. That’s not to say that I haven’t ever reused them on occasion, but I don’t use a container more than one time for food (and I never reheat in it). These are definitely food containers to avoid.
They are great for other items-crafts, buttons, hardware, and so forth, but not for long term food storage. The more the plastic is exposed to liquids or acids, the more chemicals leach out of the plastic…we don’t need any more harmful chemicals in our body! Plastic dairy containers don’t even recycle. I wish resaurants would put all take out foods in paper or cardboard!
Some Zip-loc/plastic storage bags
Zip-loc bags are made of polyethylene and do not contain BPA. This doesn’t mean they have no harmful chemicals in them. Do NOT heat food in them. Chemicals do leach out of plastic when heated.
As for reusing them for food storage, most Zip-loc type bags can easily be reused if washed well. BUT, there are exceptions. If you used bags for these purposes, don’t reuse them:
- Marinate meat
- Store eggs
- Store shellfish or peanuts, especially if someone in your family has allergies particularly if somebody in your household has a food allergy.
But don’t throw them out-they do recycle! There’s a lot more information about reusing plastic bags on the Mashed website.
Summary
- Watch out for imported ceramics.
- Don’t reuse take out containers.
- Don’t reuse yogurt, cottage cheese or cream cheese containers.
- Don’t reuse zip-loc style bags if they were used to store meat, fish or eggs.
- Be aware of storing peanuts or other allergens if that’s a risk.
It’s great to be environmentally conscious, but be safe about it. You can read more about which plastics recycle in my post The Healthy Refrigerator Freezer Clean Out.