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Safer Food Storage
Solve the container conundrum once and for all with these sensible solutions that keep edibles fresh—and minimize your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. By Kieran Doherty
The good news is there are plenty of other options (some may be in your cupboards already), from stainless steel to old-fashioned waxed butcher paper to safer plastics. Here's everything you need to know.
For Microwaving Do use microwave-safe glass or ceramic cookware.
Don't use any plastic, including plastic wrap, Tupperware, and Styrofoam.
We Like CorningWare Pop-Ins, made from stoneware, can go from freezer to oven or microwave to your table; 12-piece set, 800-663-8810, cooking.com. Store, heat, and serve in the Anchor Hocking glass storage container, which has a glass lid, 800-663-8810, cooking.com.
For Refrigerator Storage Do use glass, ceramic, stainless steel, or PVC-free plastic wrap.
Don't use plastic containers for anything that will leave behind a residue that will require scouring, which can create scratches. Don't store or cover hot food in or with plastic—let it cool first.
We Like Easy-to-clean Pyrex glass containers, bedbathandbeyond.com. Betty Crocker stainless steel bowls in a set of three, 800-328-8360 or bettycrocker.com. Glad Cling Wrap, made from safer number 4 plastic, at grocery stores.
For Packing Your Child's Lunch Do use foil or waxed or butcher paper to wrap sandwiches and snacks. If you prefer the convenience of bags, look for ones made from number 4 plastic.
Don't use any plastic for high-fat foods such as meat or cheese; plastics contain chemicals that are attracted to fat.
We Like Reynolds Cut-Rite waxed-paper sandwich bags, which are a good alternative to plastic, at grocery stores. Glad sandwich bags made from number 4 plastic are suitable for fruits and vegetables, at grocery stores.
For Water Do use glass or stainless steel or pitchers made from number 2 or 5 plastic.
Don't use pitchers made from number 7 plastic.
We Like Lehman's European glass juice jars, designed for canning, have lids and keep your water tasting like, well, water. A wide mouth allows easy cleaning; four-piece set of one-pound jars, 877-438-5346 or lehmans.com. The Bormioli Samoa glass pitcher has a chamber for ice built right in, 800-663-8810 or cooking.com.
For Freezing Do use foil, freezer paper, or number 4 plastic freezer bags.
Don't use any glass or plastic not labeled freezer safe— extreme cold can cause both to crack. Don't put hot food in plastic bags or containers—let it cool first.
We Like Ziploc Freezer Guard Bags, which are made from number 4 plastic and have a seal that keeps out moisture; 15-gallon-size, at grocery stores. For hot food, use Reynolds Wrap Everyday Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil, designed for extreme heat and cold; at grocery stores.
For Pantry Storage Do use glass, aluminum, stainless steel, or number 5 plastic.
Don't store food in any plastic container made from number 3, 6, or 7 plastic.
We Like Tellfresh containers, made from dishwasher and freezer-safe number 5 plastic. They also have clip-on tags (sold separately) to take the guesswork out of what you stored, thecontainerstore.com. Williams-Sonoma's brushed stainless steel canisters have snug-fitting glass lids for easy viewing; three-piece set, 877-812-6235 or williams-sonoma.com.
