It has been shown that more than 90% of all plastic releases additives when the plastic gets warm. There is no safe temperature, as substances from plastic can be released even with slight heating. Fat has also been shown to cause plastic to release substances more easily, which can be hormone-disrupting for us humans. Therefore, plastic should be avoided in the kitchen. Otherwise, we risk harmful chemicals ending up in the food we eat and the drinks we consume. If we ingest these substances, it can cause problems for us and lead to health issues later in life.
But don’t despair. There are other materials that are known for not releasing particles and that you can safely use instead. Safe materials include stainless steel, glass, porcelain, untreated wood, and solid bamboo.
Bamboo fiber is often said to be a good and non-toxic material, but it can contain additives such as plastic and melamine that may be released. (Sometimes bamboo can be okay, but many times there are additives that release substances. It is important to ensure that the bamboo products you use do not contain any harmful additives.) All bamboo sold here at Glimja is solid and good to use because it does not contain any harmful additives.
Replace
Examples of products you should replace if they are made of plastic: plates, mugs, pitchers, mixing bowls and bowls, cutting boards, utensils such as spatulas and ladles, lunch boxes, baby bottles, drinking bottles, and electric kettles. Teflon pans and casserole/dish pans with so-called non-stick coatings contain substances called perfluorinated compounds, which should be avoided.
Instead, choose a frying pan made of cast iron or stainless steel. So when it’s time to replace the frying pan at home, choose one made of a safer material for your next purchase. Frying pans made of both cast iron and stainless steel last forever if you take care of them properly, and you will never need to buy a new one again.
Food packaging
Food stored in cans and metal tubes (e.g., caviar, soft cheese, tomato paste) has a plastic lining inside that contains the hormone-disrupting substance Bisphenol A (BPA). This substance leaches into the food stored in the container, and the fattier the food, the more it releases. Therefore, avoid food packaged in cans and metal tubes, and instead choose safer materials such as Tetra Pak or frozen food in cartons.
Since 2015, some companies have also chosen to replace the BPA-containing plastic in their cans, so if the packaging states that it is Bisphenol-free, it is okay.
Water tap
It has been shown that many water taps release heavy metals such as lead and copper into the water we then use as drinking water and for cooking.
To avoid ingesting these, it is a good idea to run the tap a little extra, especially in the morning, when the water has been standing still overnight. Run the tap for 30-45 seconds in the morning, and 10-15 seconds during the day, to get cleaner water and avoid ingesting these substances when you drink the water or use it for cooking.
The food you eat
Besides avoiding plastic in the kitchen, one of the most important things you can do to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals is to choose organic and additive-free when you shop for food. This is especially important for fruits and vegetables, as conventional produce is heavily sprayed. By choosing organic, you have taken a big and important step toward reducing harmful chemicals in your daily life.
Original post written by Sara Mårtensson, founder of Lapland Eco Store, which has been part of Glimja since 2021.
