5 Foods You Should Never Store in Plastic Containers, According to Food Safety Experts

Proper food storage is essential for keeping your fresh foods fresh, meal prepping, giving homemade meals as gifts, and saving leftovers for later. Although many people use plastic containers, some foods should never be stored in them. We consulted food safety experts to identify which foods should not be stored in plastic containers and which alternatives are best to use instead. While food-safe plastic containers are available, it's crucial to ensure they're in good condition and avoid storing certain foods in them to prevent any risks.

Is It Safe to Store Food in Plastic Containers?

Erica Reister, a food safety educator at Michigan State University Extension, says consumers should use caution with plastic food storage containers, especially older containers and single-use plastics. She notes these products may contain bisphenol A, or BPA, a chemical commonly found in older plastics. Plastic containers that are scratched or have been repeatedly heated in the microwave should also never be used for food storage.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulate the use of plastic food-grade containers to ensure they meet the required safety standards for consumers. According to the USDA, the key safety standards include being non-toxic, impervious, smooth, durable, and able to withstand cleaning and sanitizing chemicals without degradation.

5 Foods to Never Store in Plastic Containers

1. Raw Meat

After opening a package of raw meat, you might not be ready to cook it all and choose to store the rest in the refrigerator for later. However, Shannon Stover, a food safety educator at Michigan State University, warns that storing raw meat in plastic containers can pose a food safety risk. Grooves and scratches in plastic containers can trap bacteria from raw meat, allowing them to grow. To reduce the risk of bacterial growth and contamination, store raw meat in a glass container.

2. Fatty Foods

Foods with high fat content shouldn't be stored in plastic containers because many plastic additives are lipophilic, meaning they dissolve more easily in fats than in water. As fatty foods sit in plastic containers, these chemicals migrate into the food, increasing the risk of contamination.

Common, everyday fatty foods to avoid storing in plastic containers include olive oil, butter, cheese, meats and poultry, fish, nuts and nut butters, fried food, cream-based foods and sauces, and leftovers. To reduce exposure to these chemicals, store fatty foods in glass or stainless steel containers instead.

3. Acidic Foods

Like fatty foods, acidic foods are more likely to trigger chemical migration when stored in plastic containers. Acidic foods—including tomato-based dishes, citrus fruits and juices, salad dressings, and fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi—can react with plastic surfaces, causing chemicals to leach into the food. experience chemical migration when stored in plastic containers.

Stover also notes that acidic foods can stain plastic containers, creating additional contamination concerns over time.

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4. Pet Food

While plastic containers may seem convenient for storing pet food, long-term storage can increase the risk of foodborne illness or chemical toxicity, Stover warns. If you store pet food in a container, choose glass or stainless steel to reduce the risk of toxins contaminating the food and harming your pets.

5. Leftovers That Need Reheating

Restaurants often provide single-use plastic containers for takeout orders and leftovers. When reheating food, only use cookware designed for microwave use, Stover says. "Glass, ceramic containers, and all plastics should be labeled for microwave oven use," she adds. "Do not reheat food in single-use storage containers like margarine tubs or take-out containers, as the containers can warp or melt, causing harmful chemicals to leach into food."

If you have takeout containers in the refrigerator now, transfer the food to a plate before reheating. Storing leftovers for later? Transfer them into a glass or stainless steel container instead.

Alternative Food Storage Options

Instead of plastic food storage containers, Reister suggests choosing glass, stainless steel, or ceramic. "These types of containers are non-reactive and non-toxic," she says. "They are also easy to clean, heat-tolerant, and won't leech into the food when heated up or stored in the fridge." Glass, stainless, and ceramic containers also last longer than plastic, making them a smarter long-term kitchen essential to always have on hand.