How Dangerous Is Plastic?

Plastic Wrap

What to know: Cling wraps are made of polyvinyl chloride, which may contain BPA. Though these wraps are generally advertised as microwave-safe, the Food and Drug Administration recommends keeping plastic wrap from directly touching food and placing plastic wrap loosely over food when microwaving so that steam can escape.

What to look for: Alternate ways to store leftovers. Try aluminum foil, suggests Barry Swanson, professor of food science at Washington State University in Pullman. “The transfer of contaminants from aluminum foil will be less hazardous than from plastic wraps,” he says. For reheating, use a glass container with a glass top.

Product to Try:

• The Container Store Vintage Glass Food Storage Containers, from $6 (shown), containerstore.com