Yes, most paper plates , cups and napkins are safe to use in the microwave . Though polystyrene containers were popular in the past, they have slowly been banned in several cities in the United States, such as San Francisco and Seattle, due to environmental and potential health concerns (4). The product contains thousands of tiny pieces of plastic bound together using free radical vinyl polymerization, a chemical reaction used in the manufacture of many plastics. Some, but not all, types of Styrofoam are suitable for microwave use. However, they are not very durable and can’t hold food neatly at all, which is why they have been replaced by paper plates in recent years. While many people think styrofoam can’t be used in the microwave at all, styrofoam can actually be designed for use in the microwave. Styrofoam plates should not be microwaved, because they can easily melt. This can lead to a collapse of the plate if it has something heavy on one portion of the plate. Before we delve deeper and answer the question as to whether or not you can microwave Styrofoam, let us first distinguish the two different types of Styrofoam – the traditional Styrofoam or polystyrene and the newer version of Styrofoam.. This article reviews the healthiest ways to cook meat. Harvard Medical School; "Harvard Health Publications: HEALTHbeat"; Nancy Ferrari; August 2006, Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide; "Microwaving Food in Plastic: Dangerous or Not? Microwaves warm up the food that transmits the heat to the styrofoam container. Can You Microwave Styrofoam Plates? On the other hand, avoid microwaving food in polystyrene containers that are not labeled as microwave safe, as their safety is not assured. Styrofoam is incorrectly used to refer to polystyrene foam containers that are commonly used to serve warm beverages and food. Styrofoam, known also by generic title polystyrene, is a kind of plastic that’s made of expanded polystyrene beads. when you microwave a Styrofoam plate with food in it, you’re actually eating the poison from the heated styro. As a possible consequence, styrofoam may release chemicals into the food that might lead to certain health issues. Styrofoam products that the FDA has deemed safe through testing for food usually carry the "Microwave Safe" label. "; July 2006, Polymer Science Learning Center; Polystyrene, Polymer Science Learning Center; Free Radical Polymerization. The heat in the microwave can be detrimental and when you eat the food that has been heated along with the Styrofoam, your health can be possibly put at risk. Fortunately, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures that its foam containers are made from microwave-safe Styrofoam. Safe microwave usage with Styrofoam depends on factors such as microwave safe grade material, medium power level and heat for 30 seconds at a time. For that reason, Styrofoam plates as well as other Styrofoam food containers cannot and must not be used in the microwave. Can You Boil Water in the Microwave, and Should You? Last medically reviewed on January 7, 2020. Otherwise, you’ll be told it isn’t microwave-safe or there won’t be any label and you should err on the side of caution and just put your food in a microwave-safe container like ceramics and the like. Can You Microwave Styrofoam? How boil egg in microwave … While it’s unlikely to kill you or even cause any long term damage, it’s a type of plastic that most people would be put off having make its way around your intestines or bloodstream. From a health perspective, they contain a compound called styrene, which has raised some concern, as it has been linked to cancers in animal and human studies (7). Chances are you come into contact with Styrofoam products on a daily basis. Styrofoam containers package fast food, store leftovers from restaurants and wrap a variety of ready-to-eat foods at takeout restaurants. If it is microwaveable, you should find a label or symbol that should let you know if you can use the container in a microwave. That’s because polystyrene containers contain a compound called styrene, which has been linked to cancer. If you have any concerns, transfer your food into a microwave-safe ceramic, glass, or pyrex container prior to heating it. While you can put styrofoam containers in the microwave, the heat of it's contents could melt the container and destroy your meal. Yes, you can safely microwave Styrofoam if the container is marked as microwave-safe. Jon Stefansson has been a professional writer since 2009. If you are using a styrofoam container, check to see if it has a microwave-safe label. 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