If you’ve ever felt a little weird about tossing something in a microwave, WITH a Ziploc bag, well, maybe you were onto something.
A class action lawsuit is accusing Ziploc’s parent company of misleading consumers by labeling its plastic bags as “microwave safe” and freezer-friendly.
The bags may shed microplastics when exposed to “extreme temperatures,” which can pose health risks. (The problematic materials are polyethylene and polypropylene, which are made from petroleum.)
The idea is that while these bags CAN be put into a freezer or into a microwave, they’re not “safe” under those circumstances. And the risks were not conveyed to consumers. The case is ongoing, so it’s unclear if or how it’ll be settled.
(Generally speaking, microplastics are EVERYWHERE, and a lot of food spends a lot of time in contact with plastics. Everyone should know the risks, but it’s impossible to avoid all microplastics.)
(Food & Wine / About Lawsuits)
