Dangers of Plastic Bags for Food Storage

Storing your food in plastic bags will not keep you safe from chemicals, pests, and bacteria.

Dangers of Plastic Bags for Food Storage
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

Proper food storage is vital to keeping it safe for consumption.  Eating food that has been improperly stored can make a person sick, especially if that storage container is plastic that contains dangerous chemicals.  Storing food in any plastic, both food storage bags and other plastic bags can pose dangers to humans.
 
Chemicals
All plastic is produced from chemicals that have the potential to harm human health, such as the substances that make up plastic which include BPA and DEHA.  Grocery bags are made from high-density polyethylene or low-density polyethylene and are typically coded for recycling as a #2 or #4.  So, when food is stored in plastic bags, these chemicals can leach into the food and be ingested.  This also includes a plastic wrap, which is a similar component.  Over time these chemicals have been linked to tissue changes, genetic damage, chromosomal errors, miscarriage, congenital disabilities, early onset of puberty, and hormonal changes.  In children, chemical leaching can cause harm to their developing immune system and result in disrupted hormones and behavioral problems.
 
Pests
Food in the pantry should be stored in airtight containers to prevent pests, including bugs and rodents.  Plastic grocery bags are not airtight and should not be used.  They can be broken into or bitten open by pests.  Using glass jars is the recommended method for storing food in the pantry, as chemical leaching can occur when food is stored in plastic containers.
 
Bacteria
When food is not stored correctly, it can grow harmful bacteria that make a person sick.  Food should be stored in airtight containers to prevent bacterial contamination.  Food that is not wrapped correctly can become infected with bacteria from other food in the refrigerator that has already spoiled.  Additionally, meats not in airtight wrappings can drip onto other foods, contaminating them with food-borne pathogens like E.coli or salmonella.  Plastic grocery bags and food storage bags can burst or be broken when shifting food around in the refrigerator, creating conditions that can grow and spread bacteria.