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By Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDNPublished February 21, 2019 Whether you’re on a quest to prevent food waste or you simply want to store prepared food, reusable containers can do the job. But some food containers are safer than others when it comes to personal and environmental health. Here’s what you need to know. Know the code. On the bottom of plastic food storage containers, you’ll find a tiny triangle with a number (resin identification code) ranging from 1 to 7. This number indicates what the plastic is made of. In general, the safest choices for food use are numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5., see photo for ref. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding plastic containers with codes 3, 6 and 7. Plastic number 3 contains vinyl or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 6 has polystyrene and 7 can contain various plastics, such as Bisphenol A (BPA). The use of BPA has been banned in baby bottles, sippy cups and in the packaging of infant formulas. However, its use in other food and beverage containers continues to be monitored and is currently considered safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Many BPA-free plastic food and beverage containers are available today, […]

You should have come across one or more containers that have caught your eyes by now and you might be ready to buy that product for your kitchen, but before that, it is important to know about a few key factors that will ensure that you choose a product that is not only an attractive but is also well-suited to your needs. To know about those factors, you can read the next section of this article, which help you find the container that is a perfect match for you. Material Airtight containers can be made of different kinds of materials and it is important to note which kind you are looking for since the material will determine the durability, appearance and food safety of your containers. Plastic food containers are one of the most common types you will find on the market but it is crucial to check whether they are free of toxic elements such as BPA. The advantages of plastic containers are that they are not brittle like glass, they are easy to clean and they are light. Another common type of containers are glass food storage containers and they appear classier and aesthetically pleasing than plastic and