Is It Safe to Heat Plastic Wrap in the Microwave?

October 14, 2023
Many people have the habit of wrapping food in plastic wrap and directly heating it in the microwave. But is it safe to do so? Can plastic wrap be heated in the microwave?

Common Types of Plastic Wrap on the Market

Polyethylene Plastic Wrap (PE)

PE plastic wrap is mainly used for packaging ordinary food. It is often seen in supermarkets used to package fruits, vegetables, and other items.

Polyvinyl Chloride Plastic Wrap (PVC)

PVC plastic wrap has the poorest flexibility and contains the most plasticizers. Plasticizers are environmental estrogens that can disrupt the endocrine system when ingested in large amounts. This type of plastic wrap can also be used for food packaging, but it has poor stability and can have some impact on safety.

Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC)

PVDC has good stability and safety, and it has good heat resistance. It can be used to preserve some cooked foods.

PVDC Plastic Wrap Can Be Heated

Based on the above materials, PE and PVDC plastic wraps are more stable and safe, suitable for everyday household use. PVDC plastic wrap has good heat resistance and can be heated using a microwave or other methods.

PE Plastic Wrap Should Not Be Heated

Although PE plastic wrap is more stable and safe compared to PVC plastic wrap, it is not heat resistant and should not be used to heat food using a microwave or other methods. PE plastic wrap is mainly used for cold storage preservation in households.

PVC Plastic Wrap Poses Health Hazards when Heated

Currently, PVC plastic wraps use a plasticizer called ethylhexylamine, which is unstable and can cause carcinogenic effects. It has a significant impact on the endocrine system and hormones. Therefore, when using PVC plastic wrap, remember not to contact it with oily food and avoid heating it.

Precautions for Using Plastic Wrap in the Microwave

1. Keep the plastic wrap and the food in separate states and do not let them directly contact each other. When the food is heated, the oil in the food may reach a high temperature, causing the plastic wrap to break and stick to the food. 2. When heating food, cover the container with plastic wrap and then use a toothpick or other sharp object to poke a few small holes in the plastic wrap to facilitate moisture evaporation and prevent the plastic wrap from bursting due to gas expansion. 3. The maximum heat resistance temperature marked on different brands of plastic wrap may vary by about 10°C. When the temperature inside the microwave is high, it generally reaches about 110°C. If long heating time is required, consider choosing plastic wrap with higher heat resistance. 4. Even for plastic wrap specifically designed for microwaves, do not heat it for too long. It is best not to exceed 4 minutes, as it may start to degrade (wrinkle or puncture). If longer heating time is needed, please use a dedicated microwave cover.
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