“Shower cap-style” plastic wrap is all the rage. Is this type of plastic wrap reliable?

Recently, the "shower cap-style" plastic wrap has become popular

Different from traditional tube-type cling film

When using, you need not only to tear

They may also stick together

This new type of "shower cap" plastic wrap

Can be directly put on various plates

Take one at a time, very convenient

but

About the safety of "shower cap" plastic wrap

It also sparked widespread discussion

Some people say that this plastic wrap

In fact, it is a disposable shower cap and shoe cover

Some people say that it contains excessive plasticizers

It can't be used to cover dishes at all

Are these claims true? Can plastic wrap be used safely?

When buying cling film, pay attention to the implementation standards of the product packaging. If it meets the national standard GB 4806.7-2023 "National Food Safety Standard for Plastic Materials and Products for Food Contact", you can use it with confidence . This standard has migration rate requirements for plastics used in food, that is, the chemical substances that migrate from plastic products to food cannot exceed the standard to ensure safety.
Like traditional plastic wrap, the "shower cap" plastic wrap is made of low-density polyethylene, a type of polyethylene. This type of plastic does not require additional additives during processing and is not prone to migration. Food packaged with this material is not easily contaminated.

Regarding the issue of "plasticizers" that everyone is worried about causing cancer, polyvinyl chloride cling film containing plasticizers does pose certain risks, but there is no need to worry as long as it does not come into contact with greasy food and is not heated .

What materials are plastic wrap made of?

At present, the common food-grade cling film materials on the market are mainly polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and other biodegradable materials.

Polyethylene

Can it be heated: It can be heated in a microwave oven, but if it is heated for a long time and the temperature exceeds 110℃ , it will melt.

Instructions for use: Do not use this type of plastic wrap to wrap food and place it in the microwave for a long time, or heat it at extremely high temperatures for a long time.

■ Polyvinyl chloride

Can it be heated: Contains plasticizers, which will release harmful substances at high temperatures.

Instructions for use: Do not heat or come into contact with greasy food. Can only be used to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables .

■ Polyvinylidene chloride

Can it be heated: It can withstand high temperatures of 140℃~180℃ and can be used for heating .

How to use: Do not put it in a high-temperature oven. What are the disadvantages of "shower cap" plastic wrap?

■ Slightly weaker preservation effect

The reason why plastic wrap can preserve food is that it isolates bacteria and fungi, and to a certain extent, it also isolates oxygen and retains moisture. Compared with traditional plastic wrap, "shower cap-style" plastic wrap cannot wrap food tightly, and the elastic seal cannot completely prevent gas from entering and exiting, which will reduce the preservation effect.

■ Elastic band may be exposed

The materials used to make elastic bands are fibers such as nylon and spandex, which have good heat resistance themselves, but some additives need to be added during the processing.

Under normal circumstances, the elastic band of the "shower cap" plastic wrap is wrapped in a layer of polyethylene and does not come into direct contact with food. However, during the heating process, if the polyethylene is damaged, the elastic band will be exposed, and the additives may migrate into the food, posing a threat to health.

Summarize

The new shower cap-type plastic wrap is very convenient, but consumers should be wary of some merchants selling ordinary plastic shower caps as plastic wrap, and understand the product's material, implementation standards and usage environment in advance.
In addition, during specific use, you need to pay attention to:

When preserving particularly delicate foods, do not keep them for too long.

When heating food in the microwave, remove the plastic wrap.