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Bettesworth Construction
Food Safety

Can You Microwave Plastic? How to Check a Container Safely

Some plastic containers can be microwaved—but only when their labeling and instructions say so. Here’s how to check, and what to use when you’re unsure.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 2 min read
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Yes—some plastic containers can go in a microwave, but only when the container’s label and instructions say they are suitable. “Plastic” by itself is not enough to tell. Check the item and your microwave manual; if the container lacks microwave-safe instructions, use another container intended for microwave heating.

How to tell whether a plastic container is microwave-safe

  1. Check the container itself. Look for a microwave-safe label or instructions from its manufacturer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says plastic tableware without a microwave-safe specification should not be used to heat food or drinks.
  2. Read any limits or care instructions. Follow the container maker’s directions and the microwave oven manual. Suitability depends on the specific item and its intended use, not simply on the fact that it is plastic.
  3. If you cannot confirm suitability, transfer the food. Use a container whose instructions permit microwave use. Glass is one material used in microwave cooking, but check the glass item’s instructions and the oven manual rather than assuming every glass item is suitable.

The FDA lists glass, paper, ceramic and plastic among materials used in microwave cooking. That list is not a blanket approval of every item made from those materials; follow the instructions for the particular container and appliance. FDA: Microwave Ovens

Why some plastic containers can melt

Microwave energy passes through plastic, while the food heats. Heat transferred from the food can make the container hot, and some plastic containers can melt. The FDA cautions: “Some plastic containers should not be used in a microwave oven because they can be melted by the heat of the food inside.” FDA: Microwave Ovens

Do not microwave food on melamine dinnerware

The FDA says: “Foods and drinks should not be heated on melamine-based dinnerware in microwave ovens.” This is a specific warning about melamine-based dinnerware; do not treat ordinary-looking plastic tableware as suitable unless its instructions explicitly permit microwave heating. FDA: Melamine in Tableware Questions and Answers

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Do resin codes or plastic migration claims answer the question?

A resin code is not a microwave-safe label

The FDA notes that resin code 7 may indicate a BPA-containing plastic and says available information continues to support the safety of currently approved BPA uses in food containers and packaging. Neither the code nor that BPA assessment tells you whether a particular item is suitable for microwave heating. Check the item’s microwave-use instructions. FDA: Questions and Answers on Bisphenol A (BPA) Use in Food Contact Applications

What FDA says about microplastics and nanoplastics

The FDA says there is not sufficient scientific evidence to show that microplastics and nanoplastics from plastic food packaging migrate into foods and beverages. That statement does not establish that migration is impossible, or that every container has been evaluated under every microwave condition. FDA’s food-contact approach considers migration under intended conditions of use along with toxicological data. FDA: Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Foods

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Practical choice when instructions are unclear

  • Use plastic only when the specific container’s labeling or maker’s instructions permit microwave use, and follow any stated limits.
  • Do not use melamine-based dinnerware to heat food or drinks in a microwave.
  • If you cannot confirm that a plastic item is suitable, move the food to a container whose instructions allow microwave use. A microwave-safe-labeled glass food container may be an option, subject to its instructions and the microwave manual.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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