Frequently Asked Questions
I've heard it is unsafe to microwave food in plastic products. Is this true?
Tupperware products are safe and Tupperware products designed for microwave use are safe for their intended purpose. Health and safety are top priorities at Tupperware and all Tupperware products meet or surpass Federal government safety standards for food contact applications. Tupperware is careful to specify on its products if they are appropriate for microwave use and further specifies which of those microwave products are appropriate for cooking and which are appropriate for re-heating. All Tupperware products designed for use in the microwave are labeled on the bottom of the container and on the seals with a our ‘microwaveable icon’ of short, wavy lines. If the product bears one of those inscriptions, it has been designed to function safely in the microwave.
There have been stories in the media about the potential health risk associated with using plastic in the microwave. How can consumers be assured that Tupperware products are safe?
Tupperware products are safe generally, and Tupperware products designed for microwave use are safe for their intended purpose. All Tupperware products meet all applicable laws and regulations for product safety in each country where they are sold. The plastic materials, additives and colorants used in the manufacture of Tupperware food storage, preparation and serving products sold in the United States meet the requirements in the Regulations of the Food and Drug Administration of the United States of America. All colorants used in those products are registered on the French Positive List (Circular Letter No. 176), which is the most stringent in the world, and comply with the requirements of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Resolution AP (89) 1.
Are all Tupperware products safe to use in the microwave?
Only Tupperware products specifically designed and recommended for use in the microwave should be used in the microwave. Tupperware is careful to specify which products are appropriate for microwave use and further specifies which of those microwave products are appropriate for cooking and which are appropriate for re-heating. Using the appropriate product not only results in optimal performance, but also prevents damage to our products. The high heat generated by foods prepared in a microwave can warp and melt non-microwave safe materials and microwave use would void the warranty. More importantly, this damage poses a safety hazard that could cause accidents and injuries to the user.
Are Tupperware products, not designated for use in the microwave, safe to use in the microwave?
Though there are no known health risks, we strongly recommend that you use only Tupperware products specifically designed for use in the microwave. Tupperware® is careful to specify which products are appropriate for microwave use and further specifies which of those microwave products are appropriate for cooking and which are appropriate for re-heating. The high heats generated by foods prepared in a microwave can warp and melt non-microwave safe materials and microwave use would void the warranty. More importantly, this damage poses a safety hazard that could cause accidents and injuries to the user.
Do materials in Tupperware products migrate into food when re-heating or cooking in a microwave oven?
The safety of plastic for food storage, preparation and serving containers has been confirmed many times by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - the government agency that regulates all products intended for direct and indirect contact with foods and beverages.
Key Supporting Points
1. All containers and cookware exhibit migration of materials into foods to some extent. This is seen in porcelain, crystal, aluminum, stainless steel, iron, tin, non-stick coatings and glass, as well as plastic. You may have seen the warnings to avoid using ceramics with glazes containing lead in food contact applications.
2. As you can see, it is not the migration that is the concern, but the type of material and the amount of migration. FDA sets the standard for what’s considered an acceptable level of migration - at parts per million and parts per billion. None of our materials, additives or colorants are toxic or carcinogenic and, therefore, none has an adverse health effect in humans. Tupperware products meet or surpass the safety standards for plastics in food contact applications and the associated migration limits.
Click here to view information on Tupperware's Microwave Safe Lines
Additional information related specifically to microwave cooking
