Can you microwave Styrofoam containers? Yes, you can microwave foods or beverages in Styrofoam polystyrene containers that are labeled microwave safe. You want to make sure that any polystyrene container that doesn’t have a microwave safe label to never heat it in the microwave. One of the concerns about microwaving polystyrene foam containers is the human and animal studies that link it to cancer.

Can you microwave Styrofoam containers? Photo credit: iStock-Waeel Quttene
Another concern is when you microwave foods or beverages in polystyrene containers that the substances used in manufacturing the product can leak into the foods or beverages. The FDA does regulate polystyrene containers to test their safety when used in any type of microwave ovens.
Here are some tips to safely heat your food and avoid any potential future health problems:
- Transfer food to a ceramic or plastic plate before microwaving.
- Check for any old scratches or cracks in polystyrene or plastic containers. And if you have them dispose of it right away. This can potentially leak harmful chemicals.
- Transfer food into a pot or pan or on a stovetop or into a baking tray into an oven.
- Use a microwave safe Styrofoam container and check to see if it says microwave safe.
Here are three things you should not do around a microwave:
- Overheat or underheat your food.
- Stand too close to the microwave.
- Try to heat anything in a plastic container in a microwave that is not labeled safe to use.
It is important to know and understand that there isn’t any conclusive evidence that using a microwave causes any cancer-causing effects. It is considered a safe method when it comes to heating any type of food or beverages.
There are some plastics that if you heat it that contain hormone disrupting compounds like BPA that can contaminate your food when heated.
The Bottom Line is folate is the same as folic acid, but it has different forms of Vitamin B9. Folate or folic acid can be consumed in Vitamin B supplements or whole foods.
If you have any interest in trying any of our Ethical Supplement products to help you heighten your immune system or assist you with your fitness, weight loss or health goals. You can get a discount below at this link.
https://offer.ethicalinc.com/suppressant-offer/ ?utm_source=blog
References
- Zhi WJ, Wang LF, Hu XJ. Recent advances in the effects of microwave radiation on brains. Mil Med Res. 2017 Sep 21;4(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s40779-017-0139-0. PMID: 29502514; PMCID: PMC5607572.
- Zoeller RT. Environmental chemicals impacting the thyroid: targets and consequences. Thyroid. 2007 Sep;17(9):811-7. doi: 10.1089/thy.2007.0107. PMID: 17956155.
- Nadal A. Obesity: Fat from plastics? Linking bisphenol A exposure and obesity. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2013 Jan;9(1):9-10. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2012.205. Epub 2012 Nov 13. PMID: 23147575.
- Huff J, Infante PF. Styrene exposure and risk of cancer. Mutagenesis. 2011 Sep;26(5):583-4. doi: 10.1093/mutage/ger033. Epub 2011 Jul 1. PMID: 21724974; PMCID: PMC3165940.
- Christensen MS, Hansen J, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Toft G, Kolstad H. Cancer Incidence in Workers Exposed to Styrene in the Danish-reinforced Plastics Industry, 1968-2012. Epidemiology. 2017 Mar;28(2):300-310. doi: 10.1097/EDE.0000000000000608. PMID: 27984421.
- Christensen MS, Vestergaard JM, d’Amore F, Gørløv JS, Toft G, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Stokholm ZA, Iversen IB, Nissen MS, Kolstad HA. Styrene Exposure and Risk of Lymphohematopoietic Malignancies in 73,036 Reinforced Plastics Workers. Epidemiology. 2018 May;29(3):342-351. doi: 10.1097/EDE.0000000000000819. PMID: 29533250.
- Smith M, Love DC, Rochman CM, Neff RA. Microplastics in Seafood and the Implications for Human Health. Curr Environ Health Rep. 2018 Sep;5(3):375-386. doi: 10.1007/s40572-018-0206-z. PMID: 30116998; PMCID: PMC6132564.
- Axelsson C, van Sebille E. Prevention through policy: Urban macroplastic leakages to the marine environment during extreme rainfall events. Mar Pollut Bull. 2017 Nov 15;124(1):211-227. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.07.024. Epub 2017 Jul 27. PMID: 28755809; PMCID: PMC5667635.