Why you really shouldn’t (re)use restaurant takeaway containers
Are your kitchen cupboards also filled to the brim with plastic food storage containers? Especially those takeaway containers? I have a whole load of them, which I keep saving after my Thai curry deliveries. They’re handy for storing leftovers. But it turns out that’s actually a really bad idea.
Because reusing takeaway containers isn’t that safe. Although takeaway containers (just like Tupperware containers) are made of plastic and therefore seem harmless, there are a few important things you should know.
Don’t reuse takeaway containers
The familiar white and black containers are made of polypropylene (PP). This material is one of the most versatile plastics there is. It can withstand high temperatures and is lightweight: ideal for those delivered meals. But to ensure that this type of plastic works optimally, a number of chemical substances are needed. These are added to improve its properties.
Research
Several American studies have shown that those very chemical substances aren’t exactly good for your health. At high temperatures, there is almost always a chance that these substances will ‘leach’ into the food. This also happens when you put the containers in the microwave to heat up food. The more often you do this, the more fragile the material becomes and the greater the chance that the substances will leach. Something you should definitely not do is put the containers in the dishwasher in between uses. The high temperatures and dishwashing detergent aren’t good for the containers either.
Conclusion
So if you have leftovers from your delivered meal and want to eat them the next day, make sure you heat them up in a different container. Preferably a glass one. They’re the safest, and also much easier to clean than those orange-stained plastic containers!
Also read:
- Never put hot leftovers in the fridge, but follow this tip
- Do leftovers taste better? Scientific evidence shows that they really do
- Why you shouldn’t wrap leftover food in aluminium foil
