Most Tupperware is imprinted with the number five, representing polypropylene, generally a food safe plastic.
You are likely to come across Polypropylene (PP) plastic in your regular day to day activities. It is one of the top 5 most common plastics. You can identify it either by the number 5 in the chasing arrows symbol or the letter pp.
Polypropylene is ranked at 5 and is safe for food storage. Polypropylene is FDA-approved for food contact and also has a high heat tolerance. It is known to be a safer alternative to most other plastics. It can be used to heat beverages or foods without leaching.
All of the plastic food containers that we examined in our kitchen were branded with the number 5, which means they're made of PP, or polypropylene. That's a cloudy plastic generally considered to be food safe. If you're curious about the other numbers, which range from 1 to 7, Tupperware has a handy chart.
Plastic, including Tupperware
Single-use plastics like those used for yogurt, cottage cheese and other foods should never be microwaved. The same rule applies to plastic to-go containers that don't clearly state that it is microwave-safe. Similarly, do not use cracked, old or discolored plastic containers.
Plastic #5 is also microwave safe. Its full name is polypropylene and it's commonly used as food containers, spoons, and forks. It can withstand temperatures up to ≈ 230 degrees F, which is why this is perfect for those microwave meals.
To know if a plastic container or plastic wrap is microwave safe, you should look on the packaging material for a “Microwave Safe” label. Plastic products with an imprinted microwave symbol can be used in the microwave. This symbol is mostly used on reusable plastic storage containers.
#5 PP (Polypropylene)
Polypropylene, recycling number 5, is an FDA-approved food contact plastic that's generally used for single-serve items like yogurt cups, cream cheese containers, and syrup packets. Because of its high melting point, it can withstand the extreme temperatures of the microwave and dishwasher.
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.
There are different types of plastic containers that are labeled with a 1, 2, or 5, these are considered BPA-Free. Plastic products stamped with a 7 indicate a possibility that BPA was used to make the product.
PP — Polypropylene is noted as the number 5 on the triangle code. This plastic is tough and may be stiff or flexible. Yogurt containers, margarine tubs and medicine bottles are examples of food grade containers made from this plastic.
Can Tupperware containers and specifically, the lids, be recycled? All plastic containers and lids that have the symbol of the chasing arrow on them and are numbered 1-7, and are not black, may be recycled.
Plastic #5 (Polypropylene)
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.
5: PP (Polypropylene)
It's also made into straws, rope, carpet and bottle caps. PP products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.
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.
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.
Safe Plastics to Microwave Food
Polypropylene (PP) — #5 — Most often used for frozen meals and food storage containers, safest for microwaving.
Tupperware has also joined this movement. Its American and Canadian product lines have been BPA-free since 2010. While many brands have worked hard to improve product safety, it's still vital for consumers like you to stay updated.
Polystyrene, black plastics, #3 PVC and #7 PC plastics are the most toxic and hardest to recycle, and as a mission-based recycler, Eco-Cycle supports shifting products to be made from more recyclable, less toxic plastics including #1 PET, #2 HDPE, and #5 PP.
If you look at the bottom of your plastic food storage containers and they have a #2, #4, or #5, those are generally recognized as safe for food and drink. If any of your containers have a #3, #6, or #7, those should be disposed of because they are considered high-risk plastics.
Keep plastic containers labeled with a 1, 2 or 5; they do not contain BPA or other plastic chemicals of concern. Dispose of plastic containers labeled with a 7 inside the recycle symbol. Although not all 7 plastics contain BPA, it's not easy to tell which contain BPA and which don't.
Older Tupperware products (especially those made before 2010) may not be microwave-safe. Check for the microwave-safe symbol on the bottom of the container. If it's missing, avoid microwaving it.
According to Whirlpool, a leading kitchen appliance company, most paper towels are safe to use in the microwave.
When selecting Tupperware or any plastic container for microwave use, it's important to identify the microwave-safe symbol. This symbol typically features a a stylised microwave with radiating lines, indicating that the container has been tested and deemed safe for heating.