<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Listmates: There was a summary post (dated 7/25/04) on Tupperware which included a "suggestion on using CorningWare to store food due to American Cancer Society's recommendation on not cooking or storing food in plastic." THIS IS NOT A RECOMMENDATION OF THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY (ACS). You can cook and store food in plastics that are manufactured for the designated purpose specified by the manufacturer and follow the guidelines given. See the ACS response at the end of the message, which includes the FDA recommendations. I checked with ACS to see if they had such a recommendation. My reason was that I just gotten a similar e-mail two week's ago. My forwarded message was from a relative and said that plastics should not be used for food storage and cooking and recommended the use of Corning Ware. I went to one source mentioned in the forwarded e-mail. The information did not originate at the source contacted and my contact indicated that the toxin information given in my message was not true. This is an Internet rumor/hoax. It usually quotes an "expert" and reliable sources for the information, as a specific university, medical center, and/or "expert." The message says that a chemical, or chemicals, from the plastic containers get into the food and causes cancer. Some form of this Internet rumor/hoax have been circulating for 2 1/2 years. Betsy Austin, Texas THE ACS RESPONSE to the question about there being an ACS recommendation on not cooking or storing foods in plastic is "pasted" below as received on 7/27/2004: While the Society does not offer such a recommendation, we can provide information on the FDA's recommendation. The Food and Drug Administration has found the currently approved food packaging plastics to be safe, primarily because only trivial amounts of chemicals transfer to food. Plastics intended for food packaging are tested to determine if chemicals transfer or migrate to foods under heat, and if these chemicals are dangerous to humans. The results of testing are then reviewed by the FDA, which develops regulations regarding chemicals that are permitted for use in contact with food. The FDA continues to study the migration levels of certain food packaging materials into food and will take additional action should the results indicate potential health risks. Because food packaging is tested for container's intended use, the following guidelines are recommended by the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service: > Only use cookware that is specially made for use in the microwave >oven. You might want to check your glass, ceramic, and plastics >containers for a microwave-safe label. > Plastic storage containers such as margarine tubs, take-out >containers, whipped-topping bowls, and other one-time use containers >should not be used in microwave ovens. These containers can warp or >melt, possibly causing harmful chemicals to migrate into food. > Microwave plastic wraps, wax paper, cooking bags, parchment paper, >and white microwave-safe paper towels should be safe to use; >however, do not allow plastic wrap to touch foods while microwaving. > Never use thin plastic storage bags, brown paper or plastic >grocery bags, newspapers, or aluminum foil in microwave ovens. Since you inquired about food safety in your message, perhaps you would be interested in visiting our "Food and Fitness" web page at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/ped_3.asp?sitearea=PED. This page contains information on healthy cooking, physical activity, and the power of fruits and vegetables. Please reply to this message if you have further questions about nutrition for cancer prevention or for cancer patients or if you have questions about our programs for cancer prevention or for patients. Your reply will receive priority. This e-mail message is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with qualified health professionals who are familiar with your individual medical needs. The American Cancer Society makes no warranties of any kind regarding this e-mail message, including but not limited to any warranty of accuracy, completeness, currency, reliability, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and such warranties are expressly disclaimed. *Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the Celiac List*