“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.
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. In place of plastic containers, experts recommend opting for glass or stainless steel instead.
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.
Ever reuse those plastic containers from takeout or groceries? You might want to stop doing that, because they can release nasty chemicals into your food and drinks when you heat them up, freeze them or put them in the dishwasher.
Though designed to last a lifetime, our BPA-free plastic containers are recyclable, and many will bear recycling codes to help recycling centers best sort them.
Any time a plastic food storage container becomes scratched or cracked, stained, punctured, begins to smell, loses a lid or the lid no longer fits securely, or becomes textured – it's time to throw it out.
“The properties of plastic are such that if they're exposed to high temperatures or you're repeatedly using them through the dishwasher or putting them in the microwave, they're going to break down over time,” says Díaz Leiva.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
In the event of a product's failure to meet the foregoing warranty, Tupperware, at its election, will either replace the affected product with a like or similar product or provide a credit toward future purchases of Tupperware® brand products.
Since March 2010, items Tupperware sells in the US and Canada are BPA-free, according to its website.
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!
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.
As it turns out, most experts agree that you safely can put plastic wrap in the oven or heat it by other means (cooking sous vide, for example)—but only at low temperatures. That said, it isn't a hack we'd push anyone to try at home if they're not comfortable with it.
Whether you're looking to store your dinner leftovers or bring a packed lunch to work, Pyrex has containers in a variety of sizes and shapes. For those looking to go completely plastic-free, consider their glass food storage containers, which are microwave-, refrigerator-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe.
Nostalgia in the Kitchen With Vintage Brands
Famous brands of kitchenware like Tupperware hold their value in part because of nostalgic appeal.
“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.
Along with #6 PS (polystyrene) and black plastics, #3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and #7 PC (polycarbonate, not to be confused with #7 PLA, polylactic acid, which is a plant-based plastic) plastics are considered among the most toxic plastics to produce, and the most difficult to recycle.
Go PVC-free. PVC (polyvinyl chloride, #3), commonly called vinyl, is a soft, flexible plastic found in building materials and consumer products like shower curtains, toys, and packaging. PVC typically contains hazardous additives such as phthalates, and releases dangerous chemicals throughout its lifespan.
While LDPE is considered safer than PVC, there are studies that suggest it might also harm human health. Similarly, high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic containers, which are typically used to store household cleaners and pesticides but are sometimes used for food storage, tested positive for PFAS.
Ziploc®-brand containers are quoted to have a 5-10 year lifespan, but a good rule of thumb is to assume all older Tupperware is not safe, especially if you don't remember how long you've had it.
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.