However, the dangerous thing is using those that aren’t certified as microwave-safe. The material is synonymous with plastic, and therefore found its way into the food service industry. How to Safely Reheat Leftovers: Steak, Chicken, Rice, Pizza and More, Why ‘Eco-Friendly’ Fast Food Takeout Bowls Might Be Unhealthy for You, Meat Safety: Storing and Handling Meat, Poultry, and Fish. In most cases, partially-safe PVCs are commonly used for storing yogurts, sour cream and margarine. Styrofoam food service containers come in different forms and feature multiple usages: The popularity and wide range usage of Styrofoam are due to its insulating capabilities, cheapness and lightweight design. Boil some hot water in a tea kettle. But the facts are a bit more complicated. Under such high temperatures, traditional Styrofoam compounds may be melted and get leeched into your food. Yes, but look for plastic containers that are specifically marked “microwave safe.” Avoid single-use or disposable plastic containers that might melt or leach chemicals into food. Look on the bottom of the container to quickly verify whether or not the styrofoam is safe to use in the microwave. Also, Styrofoam has a toxic compound known as styrene, which has been directly correlated to causing cancer in human beings and animals. Polystyrene is a plastic product that’s made from, among othe… *This post may contain affiliate links. Compared to the traditional variant, microwave-safe Styrofoam is made with safer, better, and less hazardous chemical compounds. It also has lower levels of dangerous toxic compounds inside it. However, some are chemically reinforced to withstand heat, making them microwave safe but not for long durations or high temperatures. My name is Joshua. This article reviews whether you can microwave styrofoam, if doing so is safe, and precautions you can take. You may want to avoid risk and simple transfer your food to a glass or ceramic container to heat in the microwave; as the old adage goes: better safe than sorry. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You can microwave foods or beverages in polystyrene containers that are labeled microwave-safe. One key reason is that they contain a compound called styrene, which human and animal studies have linked to cancer (7, 8, 9). According to the FDA, the polystyrene compound found in the Styrofoam when exposed to excessive heat will give off toxins into the food that it is holding. Use containers with safe symbols. While styrofoam is microwave safe, do not use it in the oven. For containers known to be heated, manufacturers structure their Styrofoam in such a way that it prevents or reduces the release of toxins. Because it is cheap, lightweight and effective, Styrofoam has several purposes including food packaging, transportation and storage. Recently, most US cities have banned people from using Styrofoam because of the effects it poses on the environment and peoples’ health. When utilizing a microwave, there are several specific kinds of materials that you should not use. This article leads you to the safety concern about Styrofoam usage, recommended types of Styrofoam, and tips to microwave Styrofoam safely,. But how can you utilize it without causing any health threats to your life? Some, but not all, types of styrofoam are suitable for microwave use. This website is full of easy and practical tips on defrosting, cooking, melting, reheating, or just about anything else you could do with a microwave. It is said that microwaving Styrofoam cups or containers aren’t safe for the public. Even if you expose a microwave-safe Styrofoam containers to extremely high temperatures inside a microwave, there won’t be any problem as such! Identifying the symbol is easy, the logo is wavy lines looking like a microwave. Styrofoam is only a brand title for a polystyrene foam that was originally designed for construction insulation. For example, it can affect your reproductive system since these toxic and synthetic materials are not good for your health. Environmentally, the containers do not decompose easily and are difficult to recycle. The Styrofoam in cup noodles is designed for heat management. Not all Styrofoam is created equal; some Styrofoam containers are microwave safe while others are not. Not Microwave Safe: 3, 6, 7 Avoid putting type 3 PVC, type 6 polystyrene and type 7 polycarbonate into a microwave oven. As a possible consequence, styrofoam may release chemicals into the food that might lead to certain health issues. Microwaves are among the most quickest, easiest and most effective kitchen appliances in the tech-world. Another study has shown that traditional Styrofoam contains a chemical named as styrene. It may sound silly, but it can be easy to do – if you stopped it before the timer ran out … ideas and strategies. That being said, there are certain precautions that should be followed when heating food in the microwave. However, it’s important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates plastic and polystyrene containers, cups, and plates and tests their safety and use in microwave ovens (11). Additionally, styrofoam is highly flammable and can quickly explode when used in the oven. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Articles are written by food experts, chefs, home cooks, and me. That means any polystyrene or plastic products that have the microwave-safe label have been tested for safety in the microwave. Though polystyrene containers were popular in the past, they have slowly been banned in several cities in the United States, such as San Francisco and Seattle, due to environmental and potential health concerns (4). It’s important to safely handle and store all types of meat. Below are several microwave tips you can employ to safely heat foods and drinks: Utilizing polystyrene containers when microwaving food is not as safe as many people believe. Traditional Styrofoam is safe for storing and transporting food. With the above negative effects of Styrofoam, many individuals are still on the dilemma of using them. Two types of Styrofoam are suitable for microwave use certified as microwave-safe is to read the.... And storage food from any packaging that is approved by the FDA review, there are several kinds... ’ re cheap and act as a storage container for food to from... Of, animals may mistake them for food and drinks of packaging could the... Question can you microwave Styrofoam unless the label says otherwise been directly correlated to causing cancer in beings! Stability under extremely high temperatures linked to cancer not good for your health a microwave-safe label been... 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