Reheating leftovers tonight? Take care...

We have seen quite a few opinions on using plastics in microwave – here are some crisp guidelines:

·         Do not use old cracked containers – they start releasing toxins when heated even slightly.

·         Do not use containers that have been washed hundred of times (these release more toxins when heated).

·         See discoloration? Time to put this container in the recycle bin.

·         Have butter or cream in the food? Do not heat it in the plastic container – why? Because fat absorbs harmful chemicals when heated.

Phthalates, used to make plastic containers flexible, release into food when heated. How much is released into your food when heated? It depends on the type of plastic, for how long you heat it, and what shape the container is in. So, a safe guideline for heating food would be to stop using plastic and start using glass, ceramic, or stainless steel or iron pots and containers.

So, how should I reheat food? In the good old traditional way – i.e., in a pan on a stove top; this heats food evenly, even in the interior cold spots that usually harbor bacteria. You can also use the oven, but make sure you check the inside and outside temperatures.

To healthy cooking and reheating…