do plastic bags leach chemicals into food?

[kaybee]

hi--

just wondering--ive used plastic ziploc bags for ages for short term storage and never worried about it, figured the stuff wasnt in there long enough to worry too much, but ive just gotten 10 lbs of unpasteurized almonds that may be around for a while since it seems im going to have to "ration" them to myself due to their rarity.... they are shipped in plastic and company suggests storing in fridge in glass jars in fridge or plastic sealed or vaccuum packed bags.... obviously glass would be the best but im going to be travelling and cant be asking to put 10 or so jars of almonds in peoples fridges that im staying with.... but i have my hesitancies about long term plastic storage.... anyone know if the plastic leaches? probly does, huh?

thanks

kb

[PomegranatePip]

I think plastic does leach. I would say use glass if you can, but opt for plastic if there's no other choice. I don't think I would worry about almonds as much, though... I would be more worried about leaching with wetter foods.

[exurb]

kaybee, there are better plastics and worse plastics. If you get the kind without plasticizers and the nasty things that leach estrogen mimickers, it's better IMO. You want PVC-free plastics if you want plastics at all.

For instance in plastic wraps, Saran Wrap is made without these. The downside is that these "less toxic" plastics are not as sticky and clingy.

You can check, but I think zip locks don't contain them where glad might? I'm not sure about this, it's been a while since I checked.

How about good ole fashioned thick paper bags for storing dry stuff like almonds while you travel (you can fold or press them flat), and glass jars when you don't travel. I have heard you can buy a unit that will vacuum out a canning jar or mason jar. There are glass vacuum storage containers, but they're very expensive. ;)

[puffysmom]

I am trying to stay away from all plastic as much as I can and do find it hard to carry things out of the home without using plastic. I wish i had an idea for u. If u have a container to put the nuts and such in one thing u could do is take wax paper and make little single servings of nuts in it and close off and tie with string or any other kind of tie item u can get your hands on. As long as u put them in a container to carry it in it will be just fine.

If anyone is looking for great looking glass containers check your local Goodwill or Salvation army or any other charity resale place. I have gotten so many nice containers that i set out on a shelf for all to see and never have paid over $2 for any of them. Some even less than $1. I have wiped out our local one so far.:D

[jrose_lee]

We use glass here as much as possible

When I have to use ziplocks I will wrap the food in a towel before putting it in

I also got a stainless steel chinese lunchbox which is great for on the go

These are fabulous for on the go
http://store.greenfeet.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=6006-00009-0000

hth!

[baltochef]

I am old enough to remember when plastic wrap, sandwich bags, etc. did not exist..

We grew up poor in my family..The first plastic in our house was Saran wrap, followed closely by Tupperware..

I still have the last piece from the original Tupperware that my mother purchased at her Tupperware Parties..

It's the iceberg lettuce green colander that I still use at least once a week..

Before plastic wrap, etc. came along there was waxed paper in rolls, as well as waxed paper sandwich bags..

This was all that my mother ever used to pack our lunches for three kids to take to school, & a husband to take to work..

We never used plastic as it was more expensive than waxed paper in those days..

I haven't checked, but that's probably not the case today..

Because plastics are such an integral part of our everyday life, replacing them as food storage requires some compromises..

First-- If waxed paper is used then foods will not stay as fresh for as long as with plastics..

Second-- The replacements for plastic containers will have to be made from glass, which is more fragile; or metal such as tinned steel, or stainless steel..

Third-- Substitutes for plastic containers will both cost more, & be more difficult to find..

The Japanese, the Indians, the British, & the French all have traditions of metal lunch containers..Some of these nest, some are individual containers..All that I have seen on television, in books, or in catalogs have tight fitting lids with gaskets..

This is a subject that I was planning to research in detail in about 3-6 months from now..

Perhaps some of our members in these countries (or others!) might be able to steer us towards companies that still offer these types of food storage containers for sale??..

Eventually, I want to eliminate plastic as much as possible from the inside of my dwelling, especially those rooms that I spend the most time in..Ie. the bedroom & the kitchen..

For Example--

Laundry baskets--wicker instead of plastic..

Trash cans--tinned steel or S.S. steel instead of plastic..

Dry food storage--glass jars with low VOC plastic or metal lids instead of plastic..

Perhaps others would like to chime in with suggestions on the items that they would like to replace, examples for the replacement item, & possible sources for purchasing said items??..

Adios, Bruce