What Does Bpa Mean? Should I Be Worried About It? Bpa Free Containers.

There is an abundance of food storage containers available. But are they all safe? We hear about BPA Free, we hear about plastics leaking chemicals and yet we still use them.

Don't risk harming your family. It is time to be in the know.

Sure, there is nothing worse than spending a lot of money on food at the supermarket or grocery store, or buying in bulk to save money, only to come home and have it spoil far too quickly because we either do not know how to store it properly or we do not have the most appropriate storage container for it.

The same can be said for leftovers. We often cook large batches of food for freezing, so how do we know which method of storage is best.

Depending on what you are looking to store, whether it be fruits and vegetables, biscuits and breads, meats and fish, leftovers or dairy foods, there are a number of ways to best store your food.

Here are a selection of the best storage containers to ensure you not only preserve your food as long as possible, but that you also keep your food safe. Even when you are storing your food appropriately, make sure you pay attention to their best before dates and use by dates also.

Do you know what BPA is? Do you know how to identify plastic containers that are safe to use and those that should be avoided? Have you seen those recycling numbers on the bottom of your bottles or containers and wondered what they mean?

Do not delay. Take a look at this essential guide today. It will explain exactly what the numbers mean and help you identify safe products for your family!

Storage containers with lock down lids are very handy for a number of reasons. Depending on the brand, they can have two or four locking tabs, in-built rubber seals and one lid to fit multiple base solutions.

Rubbermaid Lock-Its are a versatile choice. Not only are they BPA free and have lids that lock onto their bases on all sides, but they are microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe and come in multiple sizes.

The means you can cook in bulk, then freeze and re-heat all using the same container without any concerns.

The range of sizes is wonderful, but so too is the fact that one lid can fit multiple bases. How often have you lost a lid? With this system you do no have to worry.

If you are not keen on plastic and prefer glass, your options are potentially wider as many plastics do not allow for microwave use.

Snapware Glasslock is a similar concept to the plastic Rubbermaid containers, with the added benefit that glass will not absorb some food products and leave a stain.

Have you ever heated a tomato sauce or soup only to find your plastic has a orange tinge? You will find that with cheap plastic containers however using glass avoids that all together.

This product uses a plastic snap lock-lid which is BPA free, and super tight with a durable silicone seal, meaning it is spill free. If you choose Snapware, you can buy sets of nesting containers which allow for space saving, serving, and storing. Some sets include round containers, rectangle containers and even cups in multiple sizes. All dishwasher safe.

BPA, or Bisphenol A, is a chemical that has been used in the manufacture of various plastics for over 50 years.

Some studies to date suggest that the low levels of BPA in plastics does not present any major risk to human health, yet its presence in items such as food storage containers, water bottles and even baby bottles is not comforting.

The degree to which BPA is released from plastics depends on the product inside it (i.e. food or liquid) and also the temperatures that it is exposed to.

Luckily we are starting to see manufacturers producing products now that are BPA free. Where the options are not available, and you have concerns, choose products or containers made from glass rather than plastic.

If you are seeking a solution to store dry food products such as biscuits, nuts and cereal there are a few options available on the market which I personally use myself.

• Click Clack Accents

These are super handy, not only because they keep food air tight but also as they are see through and can be easily cleaned. I love their round shape and find that they sit nicely on my bench top.

There is nothing stopping you using them for teabags, pasta or rice also and the lid is easily removed with one hand so there is no risk of pulling hard on the lid and ending up spilling everything on the flood which has happened to me with some other similar products.

• Polder Pourable Canister

If you prefer a pouring mechanism, the Polder pourable canister is a must have item. They are incredible. They are modern to look at and you can easily open the lid and pour out your rice, salt, noodles or flour and sugar.

They are not very airtight though so whilst very handy don't use them for long term storage for products that can be affected by moisture.

I use mine for rice, salt and some of my more commonly used spices and herbs.

You are going to love this very inexpensive product. It is called Copco Bag Cap and it has two incredible uses.

1. It seals your food

2. Provides you with a spout to pour out your ingredients.

This is how it works. Let's imagine you have a bag of lollies, frozen vegetables or chips that you have opened and used only a portion of. How do you close it up again? Twist it? Tie a rubber band? Place a peg?

Yes they are all workable solutions but they may not all provide a perfect seal. How often have you twisted and tied a bag of frozen vegetables only to find out next time you search for them that they have opened and have what looks like freezer-burn?

This cap will not only seal in freshness, but can attach to any bag and can be placed in the fridge, freezer and dishwasher too.

If you prefer the option of using disposable products, handy for school bags, on the go snacks, or quick leftover storage, these are wonderful.

They are nothing to look at but you can definitely use them a few times and they are lightweight and available in multiple sizes - some even small enough for small hands.

Variety is the spice of life and there is no doubt that there are almost variety of storage solutions available. Depending on your preferences, space and food you can almost definitely find something that will work for you. Shop around and try products out. Read reviews and ask your friends and make sure you spend money wisely.

The selection here are some of my favourites and those that work well for me. Even if these do not catch your eye I hope that it has at least shown you that there are options available so never say never.

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