The degrading process generates microplastics that are dangerous for human consumption and are even linked to cancer. While plastic containers labeled microwave- or dishwasher-safe have more leeway than takeout containers, they will eventually start to degrade too.
“Plastic food storage containers should be replaced every six months to one year, depending on usage and wear and tear. Over time, plastic containers can become scratched, stained, or damaged, and that starts to pose a food safety risk, explains Dragomir Markovic, food scientist and founder of Wise Intake.
If it's more than 11 years old: If the Tupperware you have at home is excessively old, you should replace it not only because it may have deep scratches from constant use where bacteria can get trapped, but also because it's probably made of bisphenol-A (BPA), a potentially harmful chemical.
Do Rubbermaid products contain BPA? This is a common question relating to many Rubbermaid products. At Rubbermaid Commercial Products, we do not sell any of the products that contain BPA.
Don't reuse anything plastic for food. Plastic degrades quickly, and then it starts leeching into the food, especially fatty/oily foods. We've been phasing out all plastic food storage and switching to glass.
Health advocates advise against reusing bottles made from plastic #1 (polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET or PETE), including most disposable water, soda, and juice bottles. Such bottles may be safe for one-time use but reuse should be avoided.
Containers made of PET plastics can release chemicals at a temperature of 25°C and at temperatures of 50°C and above, the leaching of chemicals can occur very rapidly. Food high in fat content should never be heated in plastic as the fat better absorbs chemicals.
While there is no set timeframe for replacing plastic food containers, experts say they should be tossed out when they show visible wear, chips, cracks, or signs of stains and odors.
The most reliable way to check whether an item is BPA-free is to consult the plastic identification code number — usually stamped on the bottom of the container. There are seven categories, where numbers 1 to 6 are free of BPA. This means that only those printed with the number 7 will contain the chemical.
Rubbermaid is a brand we love, and we're even more into it when we see that its containers use ultra-sturdy BPA-free Tritan as a base. This stackable set has five 3.2-cup containers, the perfect size for meal prep or leftovers.
Made Before 2010. Tupperware as a brand went fully BPA-free in 2010. Items made before 2010 could contain BPA. Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been linked to numerous health issues, but the FDA reports that it's unlikely to be harmful at the levels it's present in our daily lives.
Since March 2010, items Tupperware sells in the US and Canada are BPA-free, according to its website.
Some plastic bottles, cups, containers, toys and pacifiers, are made with the chemicals bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. These chemicals may be toxic when released by heat or when the product is scratched.
Old Tupperware, especially those over a decade old, might contain hazardous chemicals like cadmium, lead, and arsenic. These can leach into your food, posing significant health risks. Vintage Tupperware products are particularly concerning due to the potential leaching of additional harmful substances.
Care & Use
Remove label and wash before use. Use care when handling a container with hot contents or after reheating in the microwave. Reheating implies the maximum short term (less than 30 seconds) service temperature of a Rubbermaid container is 212°F followed by a cool down period.
If any of your containers have a #3, #6, or #7, those should be disposed of because they are considered high-risk plastics. If you're going to use one of the safer plastics, it's best not to store acidic or greasy foods in them.
BPA stands for bisphenol A, an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1950s. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as water bottles.
Don't use plastic containers that are more than 10 years old. Generally speaking, your containers will tell you when they're ready for their trash can funeral as they develop staining, scratches or odors that won't go away no matter how thoroughly you wash.
The safe plastic numbers chart provides a recycling number on the bottom of each container ranging from 1 to 7. By checking this number, you can tell if it it is safe to store food in this container. The green ones are non-toxic plastics; they provide no toxic leaching, whereas the red ones should be avoided.
Through the Rubbermaid Food Storage Recycling Program, you can easily recycle all brands of food storage containers for free. Even though Rubbermaid has sponsored this program, you can still recycle any brand of plastic or glass food storage containers, like Tupperware, Pyrex, OXO, or even generic brands.
No, not all Rubbermaid containers are BPA free. Rubbermaid Commercial Freshworks™ Produce Saver containers are made from Polycarbonate (PC), which could not exist without BPA, because BPA is an essential building block for PC production.
Our food containers and beverage products are safe to use for pouring boiled water into them. Boiling water poured into our product cools very rapidly, and this should not damage or warp the container. Helpful? Thank you for your feedback!
Studies have shown that some of the thousands of substances used to make plastic products can 'leach' or 'migrate' into the food and drinks we consume. But manufacturers and food safety authorities say the levels are so low they pose no risk to human health.
Researchers have linked BPA to developmental and health problems in children, including learning and behavior conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), anxiety and depression; early puberty in girls; diabetes; obesity; and heart disease.
According to National Geographic's The Green Guide, plastics #2, #4 and #5 are the safest for repeatedly storing your food. If you reuse items made from plastics #1, #3, #6 and #7 (some Tupperware products are made from #7), you run the risk of having toxic chemicals leach into the contents.