Ways to protect your children

6. Protect Your Food - Not all plastics are microwave safe.
When heating a baby bottle or preparing food for older children, it is important to be very careful when heating plastic containers in the microwave. Some plastics when heated are known to release dioxins or other hazardous substances from the plastic container directly into the food. Dioxins are a class of highly toxic cancer-causing chemicals. They are not something anyone, especially children, should be ingesting. While some plastics are believed to be safe to use in the microwave, their safety has usually only been verified using the healthy adult standard. Many have not typically been assessed for potential risks to children.

Steps You Can Take:

• Microwave foods only in approved microwave-safe glass or ceramic containers. If you are not sure if the plastic is microwave-safe or it is not marked on the container, avoid heating the plastic in the microwave. Not all plastics are safe to use in the microwave. Consider using glass or ceramic containers that are clearly labeled microwave-safe as an alternative.

• Microwave food in plastic packaging materials only if directed on the package. Some plastic food packaging has been approved for one-time microwave use. Never use the plastic packaging in the microwave more than once.