Studies have shown that more than 90% of all plastic releases additives when the plastic becomes warm. There is no safe temperature, as chemicals from plastic can leach even with minimal heating. Fat has also been shown to make plastic more likely to release substances that can be hormone-disrupting for humans. Therefore, you should avoid using plastic in the kitchen. Otherwise, we risk having harmful chemicals end up in the food we eat and the beverages we drink. If we ingest these substances, they can cause problems and lead to health issues later in life.But don't despair. There are other materials that we know with certainty do not release particles and that you can therefore 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 can leach. (Sometimes bamboo can be okay, but many times there are additives that leach even there. In that case, it's important to ensure that the bamboo products you use don't contain any harmful additives.) All bamboo sold here at Glimja is solid and safe to use because it doesn't contain any harmful additives.
Replace
Examples of products that should be replaced if they are made of plastic: plates, cups, pitchers, bowls and containers, cutting boards, utensils such as spatulas and ladles, food containers, baby bottles, drinking bottles, and electric kettles. Teflon pans and baking dishes with so-called non-stick coating contain what are known as perfluorinated substances that should be avoided. Choose instead a cast iron or stainless steel pan. So when it's time to replace your frying pan at home, choose one made of a safer material for your next purchase. Pans made of both cast iron and stainless steel will last forever if you take care of them properly, and you'll never need to buy new ones again.
Food Packaging
Canned food and metal tubes that store food (e.g., caviar, soft cheese, tomato purée) have a plastic lining on the inside that contains the hormone-disrupting substance Bisphenol A (BPA). This substance leaches into the food or product 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 packs or frozen food in cardboard packaging. Since 2015, some companies have chosen to replace the plastic containing BPA in their cans, so if the packaging states that it is Bisphenol-free, then it is acceptable.## Water Tap
It has been shown that many water taps release heavy metals such as lead and copper into the water that we later use as drinking water and for cooking. To avoid ingesting these substances, it's a good idea to let the water run a little extra from the tap, especially in the morning when the water has been standing still overnight. Run the water for 30-45 seconds in the morning, and 10-15 seconds during the day, to get cleaner water and avoid getting these substances in your body 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 products when shopping for food. This is especially important when it comes to fruits and vegetables, as conventional produce is subjected to heavy pesticide use. By choosing organic, you have taken a significant 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.
