Choosing glass meals storage containers is one easy technique to cut back your reliance on plastic. And higher but, the decide may additionally profit your well being (to not point out amplify your fridge shelfie objectives and even encourage you to complete your leftovers).
Forward, meals security skilled Trevor Craig, company director of technical coaching and consulting at Microbac Laboratories, unpacks when and why it’s excellent to retailer your meals in glass containers. Plus: greatest practices and recommendation on navigating plastic containers when it’s unavoidable or a extra viable answer to your funds and meals storage wants, all with out reducing corners in your well being within the course of.
3 explanation why glass containers are optimum for (most) meals storage
1. Glass safely accommodates excessive and low temperatures
Craig explains that tumbler is mostly safer for a large temperature vary. Not like plastic, glass can “get scorching or chilly, keep its form, and keep away from any breakdown that would leach dangerous chemical substances,” he shares. For these causes, glass containers are perfect for secure, long-term meals storage in freezers. Glass may face up to scorching scorching temps within the dishwasher, which leads us to the following perk.
2. Glass is extra sanitary
You understand how it is unimaginable to get that marinara sauce tinge out of your plastic containers? Plastic is guilty right here, as a result of it is porous. “Glass is non-porous, so it’s simpler to wash. This implies there are much less stains but additionally much less locations for meals and micro organism to get into that may be tough to wash,” Craig explains.
Plastic, quite the opposite, presents obstacles on the cleanliness entrance. As Kate Reeder, MCN, RDN, LDN, beforehand advised Nicely+Good, plastic meals storage can turn into a literal breeding floor for micro organism to type. “Plastic is a porous materials, which means that it really has tremendous tiny holes in it, which permit particles to cross via and be absorbed,” she warned. Furthermore, Trevor provides that plastic has a better tendency to retain odors, which—to place it modestly—is much from savory.
3. Glass has an extended lifespan
Though glass meals storage containers are inclined to price greater than plastic alternate options, they’re typically a greater funding to your meals high quality, well being, and cost-per-use. “Glass lasts longer and may be reused and recycled,” says Craig. “That isn’t at all times the case with plastic since it may lose form, inflicting cracking or flaking and needs to be disposed of extra usually.” In fact, you’ll must deal with your glass gently to keep away from breakage. But when you are able to do so, you possibly can count on to maximise your funding over the long term in comparison with the choice—all of the whereas doing all your half to not add extra (future) plastic waste into the ecosystem.
FYIs and security ideas for plastic meals storage containers
Whereas glass meals storage has some clear benefits, likelihood is you possibly can’t (and received’t) use them for any and each meals storage occasion. “Usually, glass is generally safer however doesn’t work for everybody or each scenario,” says Craig. “It usually prices extra, isn’t precisely childproof, and may be broken as nicely. It may also be heavy and never simple for on-the-go use like tenting, infants and kids, or each day lunches.”
Choose food-safe plastic
If and when it’s extra sensible to retailer and/or transport your meals in plastic containers, heed Craig’s insights to make sure you’re utilizing one of the best sort of plastic. “PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate), HDPE or LDPE (low- and high-density polyethylene), and PP (polypropylene) are all secure for meals,” he shares. “Usually, you’ll find this info on the underside of the container or on the packaging.”
Go BPA-free
Craig strongly advises utilizing plasticware that’s clearly marked as BPA-free. (BPA, a chemical used to harden plastic and line meals cans, is an endocrine disruptor linked to varied well being problems together with early puberty, breast most cancers, and coronary heart and metabolic points.)
Do not reuse single-use merchandise
As well as, Craig warns that not all plastics are designed for reuse. This contains many takeout and meals supply plastic containers, that are usually designed for one use solely and aren’t as sturdy because the plastic containers you’d buy for longevity. (This, too, extends to single-use plastic water bottles—the fabric of which, as Craig beforehand defined to Nicely+Good, “can break down and seep harmful chemical substances” when reused.)
“Many extra are usually not microwave-, dishwasher-, or freezer-safe, and none are oven-safe,” he explains. “Total, consider meals containers as particular plastic designed for short-term storage (days or even weeks)—not single-use plastic [items] like wraps, utensils, or bottles.”
Substitute broken containers
On a parting word, he advises tossing your plasticware as quickly because it’s broken—i.e., scratched, warped, discolored, pungent, and so forth. “Whenever you’re throwing it away, look into your native recycling legal guidelines to see if it may be recycled, as many forms of plastic can’t be,” he provides. (Glass, however, may be recycled endlessly, presenting one more perk of this meals storage answer.)