4 dangerous ways to store food that can easily cause cancer

Many people have the habit of storing food in any container without knowing that this way of storing food is especially harmful to health.

Experts warn that using printed newspapers, plastic boxes, foam boxes... can be harmful to health.

Paper, printed newspaper

Using newspaper or ink to wrap or line food may seem very convenient, but it is actually very harmful to health. Many people, because they do not want to dirty the table or mat, often use newspaper to line or sit on. Some people even use newspaper to wrap sticky rice, candy, and food without knowing that this is an extremely harmful habit to health.

According to research in China, printing ink is very toxic, containing heavy metal elements such as lead, chromium steel, cadmium, mercury. In addition, printing ink contains a toxic substance called PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) and toxic organic solvents such as ethanol, isopropanol, toluene... when contaminated with food and eaten, it affects the functions of body parts such as the liver, kidneys...

Additionally, another study in Taiwan warned about the health effects of heavy metals in newspaper ink.

Transporting and holding a newspaper to read does not cause much harm if the reader washes his hands after handling the newspaper. However, if food comes into direct contact with food entering the body, it will cause many diseases.

In addition, newspapers used for food are often old newspapers, containing many bacteria, which are even more dangerous. Once bacteria have a chance to enter the body, it will increase the possibility of causing disease, reducing health.

Use plastic wrap

Food wrap is extremely convenient in daily life, so people increasingly rely on it. This is considered a quick and easy way to preserve food, just use it to wrap vegetables, fruits, leftovers and we feel secure. However, many studies have shown that using plastic wrap to preserve food is not good, even affecting health.

Using plastic wrap is not good for health (illustrative photo)

Processed foods, foods that contain high fat content and lots of spices, when in contact with food preservation film, will cause chemical components from the film to penetrate into the food, creating chemical reactions that are harmful to your health.

Using plastic wrap to heat food in the microwave is too dangerous. Because plastic wrap can contain chemicals such as Phthalates and DEHA, when exposed to high temperatures, they will melt and turn into extremely dangerous carcinogens.

Poor quality plastic box

Nowadays, the use of plastic in food processing and storage is becoming more and more popular among people. However, not all plastic products can be used.

Poor quality plastic products often contain toxic BPA, which can cause diseases such as infertility, obesity, cancer, etc. Therefore, when buying plastic products, instead of just looking at the shape and color, the parameters on the product will be an important suggestion.

Using plastic containers to store hot food or using them to heat in a microwave at high temperatures in plastic containers will release monostyrene (a type of poison) and let them seep into the food. This poison does not immediately affect the body, but gradually accumulates and causes diseases related to the liver and kidneys.

In addition, cheap plastic is not suitable for storing salty and sour foods because the acidity and alkalinity of these foods will cause chemical reactions that decompose, denature the food, and poison the body. If used regularly and for a long time, it can cause .

To ensure safety, you should also buy plastic food containers from reputable, certified brands.

Styrofoam box

Nowadays, the use of foam boxes to store food, including hot food, is becoming more and more popular.

Styrofoam boxes are made from Polystyrene (PS) with air accounting for 95% and PS accounting for only 5%, so they are very light. Although it is a safe material, there is a risk of affecting the health of consumers due to lead and Cadmium contamination from impure raw materials used to produce boxes and Styrene and Ethylbenzene contamination (both of which are unsafe for health) due to improper use of Styrofoam boxes in storing and preserving food.

Using styrofoam food containers for a long time can seriously affect your health (illustrative photo)

Therefore, foam boxes made from PS should only be used to contain and preserve food with temperatures below 70 degrees Celsius. Foam boxes containing food should only be used once and temporarily, and foam boxes should not be used to contain and preserve food for long periods of time.

According to chemical engineer Ho Thi Thu Thuy of the Central Food Testing Center, styrofoam boxes should not be used to store foods that are too hot, sour or greasy. Because the temperature, sourness and grease will create conditions for harmful substances from the box to change when exposed to high temperatures, quickly penetrating into the food, causing people who regularly eat food stored in styrofoam boxes to be at risk of chronic poisoning that gradually accumulates in the body and causes many diseases.

According to giadinh.net