This can easily be confirmed with a quick check of the packaging. Take a look at your foam container and see if it has a symbol depicting the outline of a microwave with a series of wavy lines. This is a visual indication that the container is microwavable.
To determine if a foam container is microwave-safe, look for a small symbol of a microwave with wavy lines. That symbol means the FDA has determined the container is safe to heat in the microwave. If the container does not have that symbol, it's not safe to use in the microwave.
Styrofoam should not be used for reheating food in a microwave, as it can release harmful chemicals when exposed to high heat. Additionally, acidic, hot, or oily foods may cause the Styrofoam to break down more quickly, potentially leaching chemicals into the food.
The Wave Symbol: The most common microwave-safe symbol looks like wavy lines, similar to the icon you might see on your microwave's control panel.
Labeling: Always look for a ``microwave-safe'' label on the container. This indicates that the container has been tested and deemed safe for microwave use. Avoid Melting: If a container feels soft or starts to warp in the microwave, it's a sign that it's not microwave-safe.
Food safe symbol
The wine glass and fork symbol. The international symbol for "food safe" material is a wine glass and a fork symbol. The symbol indicates that the material used in the product is considered safe for food contact. This includes food and water containers, packaging materials, cutlery etc.
If there is a cross through it, the product cannot be used in the microwave. This is often because the material the product is made from should not be heated in this way.
Experts advise people to microwave food in glass or ceramic, and replace plastic containers labeled “microwave-safe” if they have been scratched or if the color has changed, Waxman writes.
A 5 inside the triangle indicates the plastic is polypropylene or PP. It is commonly found in medicine bottles, straws, bottle caps, ketchup bottles and syrup bottles, and some yogurt containers.
According to The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the polystyrene food containers used to package hot and cold food items are safe to use.
Ziploc® Storage Bags are designed to help keep food fresh.
They are strong and durable, and microwave safe too. The double zipper seal lets you feel, hear and see the bag close from the edge-to-edge, so you can feel confident your food is protected.
Products labeled “Microwave Safe” can be used in a microwave. Products labeled with an imprinted microwave symbol can be used in the microwave. This symbol is mostly used on reusable plastic storage containers. Learn more about the different types of plastic food packaging and symbols.
Containers made from Styrofoam or expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam are not safe to use in a microwave, unless they have a microwave-safe label. They may leach chemicals into food, which could increase the risk of some types of cancer.
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.
You can microwave Pyrex! The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has deemed Pyrex as microwave safe. There are some things you need to know though! Pyrex is made of either borosilicate or soda lime glass and is heat resistant up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a good option for microwaving.
The most common symbol for microwave-safe plastic is a set of three wavy lines, often found on the bottom of containers. This emblem indicates that the product has been tested and approved for microwave use without melting or releasing harmful chemicals into your food.
Most paper towels are microwave-safe. In fact, you can use a paper towel to cover some foods so they don't spit during cooking or reheating. If you do use a paper towel while microwaving, it's best to use shorter intervals so you can check both the food and the paper more frequently.
DON'T put things on top of the microwave
Blocking the vents on the top of the microwave can cause it to overheat, leading to potential damage, or even creating a fire hazard. Keep the top of your microwave clear to ensure proper ventilation.
Wavy horizontal lines
There are different ways these lines may appear. It may show an image of a microwave, a dish set below the lines, or just the lines by themselves. No matter what, these wavy lines mean you can safely microwave the item.
Check the bottom of the container for a symbol. Microwave safe is usually a microwave with some wavy lines on it. If the container has a #5 on it, it is made from polypropylene, PP, so it is generally considered microwave safe. Smart Set Pro and ProView are perfect for microwave applications.
FOOD CONTACT SAFETY LABELS
First up is the stylized fork and a wine glass, the international symbol for food-safe materials: Most global food contact regulations allow manufacturers to use this symbol on a voluntary basis, with one exception.
As a general rule of thumb, plastic containers should not be microwaved. The amount of risk associated with heating plastic varies depending on the type of plastic, but in order to avoid all possible negative repercussions on one's health, it's best to reheat in glass or ceramic as much as possible.
Three Wavy Lines (Most common Variation)
The most common and widely recognized symbol for microwave safety is a trio of wavy lines stacked neatly on top of each other. These lines resemble radio waves, a subtle nod to the technology powering your microwave and heating your food.
This cracked wine glass label lets you know the item(s) inside is “fragile.” You'll notice this symbol on cartons containing items such as china and glassware.