Storing leftover chicken, pizza and other foods in plastic containers in the freezer may increase exposure to microplastics, a consumer watchdog has warned.
British consumer group Which? recommended using glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic for freezer storage, in an interview with the Daily Mail on Wednesday.
The key reason lies in changes to plastic's physical properties. At sub-zero temperatures, plastic hardens and becomes prone to microscopic cracks. During this process, particles invisible to the naked eye can break off. When microwave heating is added, surface damage accelerates, and the likelihood of microplastics, nanoplastics and chemical additives migrating into food increases, the group explained. A study published in the American Chemical Society (ACS) journal Environmental Science & Technology also presented an analysis showing that repeated freezing and heating can significantly increase the release of microplastics from plastic containers.
There is no immediate need to replace all plastic containers. For general uses such as refrigerated storage or storing dry foods, the realistic risk is limited. Which? advised that if freezer storage or microwave heating is frequent, it makes sense to use glass or stainless steel containers alongside plastic ones.
Microplastics are plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimeters, generated as larger plastic products break down. To date, they have been detected in various parts of the human body, including blood, lungs, placenta, breast milk and brain tissue. Some studies have raised the possibility of inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, changes in gut microbiota and hormonal disruption, but the scale of long-term health risks has yet to be established. While research accumulates, experts commonly advise that a precautionary approach to reducing exposure is practical. When reheating food, it is preferable to transfer it to glass or ceramic containers, and to replace old plastic containers that have been repeatedly frozen and heated.
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