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June 29, 2006
Myth Busting from Harvard Women's Health Watch
Here are two urban myths about plastics and food safety that won’t die and keep circulating in email: When food is wrapped in plastic or placed in a plastic container and microwaved, additives in the plastic can migrate into food; and plastic food wrap and plastic food containers contain phthalates, which can leach into the food
I’m very glad that Harvard Women’s Health Watch has decided to get the facts and do a little myth-busting. The July, 2006 Health Watch notes that FDA knows that additives can migrate into foods -- and that the agency has taken steps to make sure the levels are not harmful to the US public. The second myth is the claim that phthalates can leach from food containers and food wrap. But the reality is that they’re not used to make these products in the States. So, next time you get an e-mail touting these urban myths, be an activist for the truth. E-mail your friends and let them know that the FDA is on the job and they can use microwavable materials with confidence. To read the whole article from Harvard Women’s Health Watch, just click here. To read an FDA article on the topic, click here.
Posted by Chris at June 29, 2006 2:46 PM