I am wondering what the issue about having microwave safe plastics. Will cooking food in non micro-microwave safe plastics cause me to become ill or have any other harmful effects. Also are plastic butter tubs or yogurt containers microwave safe?
Well I think that the larger issue here is.. will you be able to eat the food that comes from the containers that are not microwaveable. Many food grade plastics are meant for storage and not reheating. Chances are if you select any old plastic tub it could melt before your food even gets hot! As far as I know butter tubs and yogurt containers are NOT microwave safe. Obviously, plastics vary in their chemical composition. What they have in common is that they are formed by chemical reaction. If used with food in a microwave, they must not further react, they must not decompose into the food and they must not leach out components into the food. Using a yogurt container can melt it and therefore leach harmful chemicals into your food as well. Microwave plastic wraps, wax paper, cooking bags, parchment paper, and white microwave-safe paper towels should be safe to use. Never use thin plastic storage bags, brown paper or plastic grocery bags, or aluminum foil in the microwave. In summary, odds are if it doesn't say microwave safe.......... it probably isn't.
