Cling Wrap Leaches Toxins into Food.

[twitchy]

PVC Food Wrap Dangerous In the Microwave

Experts Warn that High Heat Causes Poisonous Toxins and Dioxins in PVC Food Wrap to Melt Out and Drip into Food and that Storing Food in PVC Wrap is Dangerous
Toronto, Canada (PR Web) March 22, 2006 – Millions of people still use PVC wrap when cooking food in microwaves or storing meats and cheeses in the refrigerator, but there are dangers in using PVC food wrap because of the toxins contained in the popular plastic. Johns Hopkins and the People’s Republic of China have recently issued statements about the toxins found in PVC food wrap, and Wal-Mart recently reported that the company would seek out alternatives to PVC cling wrap. When PVC (polyvinyl chloride), is manufactured or subjected to high heat, the chlorine in it can chemically combine with organic materials, producing deadly byproducts known as dioxins. These dioxins can run off or leach from the PVC into the food. Alternatives are available, as there are a few non-PVC food wraps on the market.

Dioxins are known to cause cancer, immune suppression, and birth defects in animals. The Environmental Protection Agency recently found that the cancer risk to the general population from dioxin, one of the most toxic chemicals known to man, is now as high as one in one hundred people.

PVC requires the use of more chemical additives than any other common plastic because it is a very rigid, non-flexible material. To make PVC pliable, additives are used. However, these additives are NOT bonded to the PVC. One of the more widely used additives that makes PVC soft is di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a toxic chemical that has been associated with damage to the liver, ovaries, heart, kidneys, and lungs. Exposure to these additives and harmful plasticizers is not only through microwave cooking, but also through food wrapped in PVC cling wrap. Many meats, cheeses and other foods sold in delis and grocery stores are wrapped in PVC, and scientists have found evidence of toxic additives leaching off PVC into the food.

What alternatives exist? Diamant Food Wrap is one of the world’s first non-PVC food wraps for storing food. The food wrap is an excellent alternative to PVC film, as it does not allow for the migration of harmful agents between the film wrap and the food. Diamant Food Wrap is plasticizer-free, environmentally friendly, and recyclable.

Diamant Food Wrap has been approved by the Canadian Health Protection Branch for food contact and qualifies for the United States Food and Drug Administration non-objection status.

For consumers who want an alternative to PVC-based cling wrap for storing food, Diamant Food Wrap is an obvious choice. But the company warns that food wrap, itself, should not be used when cooking food in microwaves. Instead, the company recommends you keep your family safe by covering food with a plain white paper towel or use Corning Ware when cooking in a microwave.



http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/3/prweb361968.htm

[moomies]

This is why I don't microwave anything covered in Saran Wrap or in a plastic container.
I remember a news report from a while ago saying Canada had one of the highest dioxin contamination levels in the world and I thought this country was less polluted and more green.

[UndercoverGator]

This has been proven several times over to be an urban legend. Whoever wrote that article picked up untrue information - http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cookplastic.asp

[twitchy]

Dangit! Forgot to check Snopes!

[muchlove]

Looks to me like a sneaky way of advertising Diamant Food Wrap.

[Voodoo Child]

My mother always used to wrap my school lunches in brown paper as she was convinced even back then that cling wrap was the work of the devil!

[Lani]

who microwaves with plastic on their food anyway? Or am I the only person who thinks its odd to do so?

[Voodoo Child]

^^I do but I am going to stop this asap. The only reason I done this was because I hate food splashing up on the inside of the microwave. I will have to think of something new to do now.

[SVZ]

Guys this article is fake. It's from a press release website, anyone can purchase a press release for about 35 bucks.

Plastic wrap can leak the chemicals it's bonded with to make it stickier, but it won't create dioxins. And it only leaks with cheeses apparently.

[Voodoo Child]

^^Really? Thanks for the heads up.

[Barbara]

Plastic usually reacts with anything oily or greasy, like cheese.
Voodoo, I use a microwave plate cover, so food doesn't splash up.
Not that microwaves are very recommended, either, but it's an other story...

[SVZ]

mmm delicious prions

[Voodoo Child]

Originally Posted by Barbara

Plastic usually reacts with anything oily or greasy, like cheese.
Voodoo, I use a microwave plate cover, so food doesn't splash up.
Not that microwaves are very recommended, either, but it's an other story...

That is a good idea. Because I detest food splashing up on the microwave walls! That is a pet hate of mine.

[A*O]

If you don't want your food to splash in the microwave, cover the bowl/plate/dish with another plate or use a container with a lid. Obtainable from a retail outlet near you!!

[Voodoo Child]

Well considering I don't use the microwave often, it is no big deal. I just hate seeing food splashed up on the walls. And since I share a place with a few others, it is usually them who are the culprits.