We usually use the microwave to heat already cooked food that we have stored in plastic containers. It is a very practical system that makes us have hot food in a very short time.

But why is it not advisable to do so?

Every time a plastic container is subjected to high temperatures, it runs the risk of The plastic decomposes, transferring harmful substances to the food and modifying its sensory characteristics, producing a phenomenon known as migration..

Whether or not this phenomenon occurs depends on the food, its contact time with the container and the temperature to which it has been subjected.

In order to minimize this risk, the legislation contemplates a series of measures in the Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 on plastic materials and articles intended to be in contact with food.

This regulation provides that materials and objects must be manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practices so that when used, plastics do not transfer any toxic components to food, causing an alteration in its sensory characteristics.

Therefore, So that the migration effect does not occur, the manufacturer's recommendations must be followed and the correct use of containers heated to high temperatures must be used only those containers that are intended for this purpose..

How do I know if a container is ready to heat in a microwave?

If a container is suitable for heating in the microwave, it must have a symbol like this

While is true that Even if this symbol is present, not all plastics can withstand high temperatures..

Of the wide variety of plastics that exist, Those that should not be used are those that contain the PVC code whose number is 3. They are plastics that are not very resistant to high temperatures, so it is better not to use them for this purpose.

Our advice is that you heat food in a container made of any material other than plastic. In this way the phenomenon of migration will not occur and the food will have all its sensory characteristics.