Can You Microwave Styrofoam Containers?

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.

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