Safe Use of Plastics for Microwaving

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A New Mexico State University food technology specialist has tips on safely usning plastics in the microwave. Anna María Pérez-Wright has more.

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Plastics not made for microwave use, including margarine tubs and take-out containers, can melt, warp or shatter, contaminating the food. Food technology specialist Nancy Flores with New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service says it's best to stick to containers specifically manufactured for microwave use. Flores says it's all right to use microwave-safe plastic wraps, but make sure the wrap doesn't come in contact with the food.

"Never use the thin plastic storage bags such as you find in grocery stores for produce, brown paper or plastic grocery bags. These are degradable and they'll fall apart in the microwave."

More information on the safe use of plastic in the microwave is available on the American Plastics Council Web site: www.plasticsinfo.org. For N-M-S-U's College of Agriculture and Home Economics, I'm Anna María Pérez-Wright.