Proper ways to use WATER and FOOD holders

(1) Bottled water in the fridge

Online circulation has been going on that do not freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as many harmful chemicals can be released from the plastic. An example is dioxin, a highly poisonous chemical which can be very damaging to the cells of our bodies and is carcinogenic, especially breast cancer.

The most commonly used plastic in water and soda bottles and food containers is PET (or polyethylene terephthalate) containing the chemical bisphenol-a (BPA) which leaches compounds that mimic the hormone estrogen. This type of substance, known as an "endocrine disruptor," has the potential to interfere with estrogen and other reproductive hormones in the human body.

(2) Bottled water in your car

Studies done on water bottled in FDA-approved PET did find trace amounts of potentially hazardous substances believed to have migrated from the plastic but were minute and well within the human safety limits set by FDA and EPA regulators. However, consumers face a much greater risk from potential exposure to microbial contaminants in bottled water such as germs than from chemical ones.

Recommendation:

According to the definition of National Geographic Society, the recycling symbol indicates the material a container is made and whether it can be recycled or reused for storage purpose. You can find this symbol on the bottom of each labeled plastic container.

* PET represented by number 1 as indicated in most water bottles should not be reused to prevent bacterial contamination and carcinogenic effect;

* HDPE or high-density polyethylenes symbolised by number 2;

The opaque plastic bottles used for milk, juice and oil are usually made from HDPE. They are safe to reused but only for containing cool fluids.

* Number 4 stands for LDPE or low-density polyethylenes;

Plastic wraps for food eg.bread, grocery bags and trash bags and kids' toys are often made from LDPE. As this plastic is soft, flexible and thinner, it can melt or emit toxic chemicals when exposed to high temperatures eg. in a microwave oven.

* Number 5 refers to PP or polypropylene.

Commonly found in takeaway containers, plastic kitchenware and baby bottles, it is generally safe to use but fear of harmful chemicals in plastic may not be a good idea to reuse on long-term basis.

Hence, the higher the number, the “safer” it is to use for food storage or to heat up in the microwave. Ensure that the number is higher than or equal to 5 to be save to use. Whatever number under 5 will release the plastic chemical.

If you are worry about the safety aspect, why not use a stainless steel container or glass bottle instead?

(3) Heating of food in the microwave using plastic containers

When food is wrapped in plastic or placed in a plastic container and microwaved, substances used in manufacturing the plastic may leak into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body similar to above. In particular, fatty foods such as meats and cheeses cause a chemical called diethylhexyl adipate to leach out of the plastic.

Guidelines for safe use

• Most takeout containers, water bottles and plastic tubs or jars made to hold margarine, yogurt, whipped topping and foods such as cream cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard are not microwave-safe.
• Microwavable takeout dinner trays are formulated for one-time use only as indicated on the package.
• Do not microwave plastic storage bags or plastic bags from the grocery store.
• Before microwaving food, be sure to vent the container - leave the lid ajar, or lift the edge of the cover.
• Do not allow plastic wrap to touch food during microwaving because it may melt. Wax paper, kitchen parchment paper or white paper towels are alternatives.

Recommendations

Only containers that pass this test can display a microwave-safe icon, the words “microwave safe,” or words to the effect that they are approved for use in microwave ovens.

Switch to using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food to get the same results, minus the dioxin. This should apply to heating of packed foods like instant ramen and canned soups as well.

(4) Aluminum foil to wrap food when microwaving/barbecuing

A recent study showed that when heat is applied to a foil, aluminum leaches from it into foods at dangerously high levels. It does not matter whether the shiny or dull side is in contact with the food or used for the purpose of cooking, reheating or cooling. Hence, the higher the temperature, the more leaching occurs. However, it is considered safe to wrap cold foods, since no leaching was observed without heating.

What can go wrong?

The average person ingests between 3-10 mg of aluminum daily mainly through the digestive tract, and a small fraction through the lungs and skin. As this metal is most abundantly found in our air, water and soil, varying amounts are present in nearly all food and water.

+ When aluminum accumulates in the body, it can lead to osteoporosis. Aluminum toxicity reduces bone formation activity and impedes calcium deposition in bone leading to elevated calcium levels in the blood. As a result, the hormone secreted by the parathyroid hormone (gland that control calcium levels), is greatly depressed.

+ Researchers have found an aluminum build-up in autopsies performed on Alzheimer’s sufferers found much deposits in brain tissue. To reach the brain, aluminum must pass the blood-brain barrier, a structure that filters the blood before it reaches the vital organ. Elemental aluminum cannot get through this pass but certain aluminum compounds, like aluminum fluoride do. This is often used by municipal water supplies to treat water and is stubborn to excrete from the body. Central nervous system toxicities include convulsions, behavior, speech disturbances and reduced mental faculties.

+ Toxic levels are found in patients with chronic kidney failure who have received hemodialysis over long periods of time as the dialysis solutions and medications contain aluminum. Also at risk are patients who ingest large quantities of antacids containing this element.

Before you place your food on the aluminum foil to send to the microwave, think about the damaging effects. Aluminum items should be correctly used as follows:

• Never cook, heat up or place hot food on aluminum foil. It should be used only to store cold food in the fridge or to wrap cold sandwiches.
• Avoid storing acid-forming foods such as coffee, cheese, meat, tea, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, turnips, spinachs, radishes, citrus fruits or spices in foil as aluminum is more readily leached. Replace foil with wax paper if you wish to store food while still hot or use glass food storage containers.
• Never use aluminum pots or cooking utensils. The longer you cook food in aluminum pots, the more they corrode, and the more aluminum compounds migrate into food and are absorbed into the body. Instead, invest in stainless steel pots and tempered glass pans.

Just for information, other sources of aluminum to note are painkillers, anti-inflammatories, baking powders, antiperspirants, toothpaste, dental amalgams and beer packaged in aluminum cans.

Source: http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update0706a.shtml

VIVA corner

+ VIVA Chloroguard has a balanced mineral content and acts as a detoxifier of excess metals like aluminum and mercury.