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Can disposable tableware be placed in a microwave heating?
It depends
Please identify the “PP”mark on the disposable tableware
Many restaurant vendors prefer using plastic disposable dishware to pack takeout meals. But not all plastic disposable dishware can be heated in the microwave oven.
Most plastic boxes will have a triangle logo with numbers on it.
Some people mistakenly believe that the number here represents that the plastic box can be reused several times: “1” means only once, and “2” means that it can be used twice
But the actual situation is not like this. The number here represents the material of the plastic container. Different materials make different taboos. Some are not resistant to high temperature, some are not easy to clean.
However, there is only one kind of high temperature resistant material suitable for microwave heating. That is polypropylene (PP). The plastic material identification code is “5”, as shown in the figure below.
Therefore, before putting the takeout in the microwave oven, be sure to check whether there is a “PP” or a “5” logo on the plastic lunch box.
If there is no corresponding mark on the disposable lunch box, it is better to change a container suitable for microwave oven for heating.
Of course, even takeout dishware that can be heated by microwave is not recommended to be reused after being heated once. Microwave heating and the original oil in food will accelerate the migration of some substances that may be harmful to the body. Moreover, the material of the take out box is relatively thin and brittle, which is not suitable for reuse.
For paper disposable tableware, pay attention to whether there is plastic covering film
In addition to plastic disposable dishware, many restaurants also choose paper disposable dishware to pack food.
Generally speaking, matte texture, no plastic film of this kind of packing box can be put into the microwave oven.
This kind of tableware is made of bagasse, straw and other raw materials. Its biggest advantage is that it has higher safety, and the technology used is closer to the paper-making technology. Products with good quality can also be heated in the microwave oven.
However, the tableware made of paperboard with plastic film should not be heated in the microwave oven.
The paper cup, fast noodle bucket and kraft paper tableware that we often see belong to this kind of tableware.
Most of the plastic films used in this kind of tableware are plastic films. With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, more and more vendors use degradable PLA coated tableware. But these films are not high temperature resistant, not suitable for microwave heating.
In addition to this kind of tableware, some vendors often wrap a layer of plastic film on the outside of the takeout dishware in order to prevent the soup from splashing.
For the sake of health, try to tear off the plastic wrap before putting into the microwave oven. Because it is not clear that the vendor is using PE polyethylene film, or PVC film. PE can be put into the microwave oven for heating, PVC can’t (plasticizer will move out).
If you are worried about the soup splashing when heated by microwave, you can wrap it with the plastic wrap that says you can put into the microwave oven, or cover it with a microwave mask.
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