Some baby bottles are made from polycarbonate plastic, noted Pauli of the FDA. But even when such bottles are heated in the microwave, FDA scientists have not been able to detect any bisphenol A residues in the milk or formula, suggesting the products are safe.
Bisphenol A can also leach out of the plastic lining put into metal food cans to prevent rust. Pauli said the agency has detected very low levels of bisphenol A in canned foods, but that this does not appear to pose a health hazard.
And what of the plastic cling wraps used to cover leftovers?
The filmy plastic sheets are made with "plasticizers," chemicals that make the plastic more bendable. One such plasticizer, DEHA (diethylhexyl adipate) can leach out of cling wraps even without heating, Pauli said. The FDA has set standards for acceptable, safe levels of DEHA in plastic wraps based on studies of animals fed large quantities of the chemical.
Bottom line? Microwave food in glass, ceramic or plastic containers that are advertised (sometimes on packaging only) as safe for microwave use, advises the FDA. Do not microwave food in plastic containers such as margarine tubs, take-out containers or other products designed for one-time use -- this plastic can melt, possibly causing chemicals to migrate into food. If you microwave food in plastic wrap, to be on the safe side, don't let the wrap touch the food during cooking.
If you still want to worry about microwaving, you can worry about this instead: The unevenness of cooking in a microwave leaves some undercooked cold spots that may still harbor bacteria.
