The Effects of Cooking Food in Plastic Wrap

The effects of cooking food in plastic wrap have been questioned for years. It is still debated whether there are adverse side effects to cooking in plastic wrap. According to the USDA, microwave plastic wraps are still safe to use. Some people still feel, however, that wrapping food in plastic before cooking it may leech chemicals into the food. Possible effects include reduced sperm count in men, breast cancer in women, birth defects, hormonal changes and immune system disruption.

Reduced Sperm Count and Breast Cancer

• Breast cancer and reduced sperm count are the most common the effects of xenoestrogens, which have been found to leech out of plastic wrap. While the amount leeched is very small, there are no FDA guidelines for safe levels of these in food.

Cancers, Hormone Disorders and Immune System Disruption

• Phthalates, including DEHA, DEHP and DINP, are have been questionably linked to cancers and hormonal and immune disorders. Studies, however, have only been conducted on animals, not humans, and while DEHA in particular is leeched out of plastic wrap, it is not a chemical that has been shown to cause cancer in lab mice.

Precautions

• The FDA and USDA recommend that all consumers use plastic wrap at least one inch above food. The manufacturers of plastic wrap also recommend that the wrap never be in direct contact with food while it is cooking.