Image via ASPhillips
And again, who knew?
I came across this info for the first time, only a few weeks ago. As I read through it, I was alarmed and annoyed. Why is this even an issue?
Nearly everyone I know has multiple types of these items in their kitchens—meaning black, plastic cooking utensils. This especially applies to the youngers, you know, the ones setting up their first homes, or homes away from home, on a budget?
Another community that invests in these products are the nomads--perpetual campers. Their kitchens are often stocked with inexpensive, lightweight cooking utensils that are easily replaced if broken.
Nearly every Dollar (+.25) store in the US has at least half a wall dedicated to plastic cooking utensils and LOTS of them are black.
There are also small businesses, like daycares, food trucks and similar vendors and so on. Hopefully, most are investing in metal items but those who are... It’s a good guess they’re going for the more affordable plastic options.
Image via ASPhillips
The color issue
All plastic utensils, be they for eating or cooking, have the potential to leak toxins into your food. But the black plastics put consumers at greater risk because they’re often made from recycled computer parts. This is most likely to happen when the utensil gets hot.
Wow! Even Google didn’t know!
I ran a query, hoping to find out about how many cooking utensils are made each year from recycled computer parts. Google had no idea and here’s why...
The products are dangerous, little to no data is usually produced to track what’s been made and the practice poses such a health hazard it’s globally condemned. Currently, there is a gross lack of regulation and transparency involving the production of these products.
Regarding the global supply chain, products made from recycled computer parts are often not labeled, preventing consumers from being aware of the risks. Also, because there’s no formal data tracking the process, we don’t know how many utensils are being sold that began as computer rubbish.
What makes it toxic?
Plastics recycled from computer parts can contain flame retardants that can leach into your food, especially when the plastic gets heated. Kids are especially susceptible to this because they’re still developing.
Flame retardants have been linked to...
☙ Endocrine disruption
☙ Neurotoxicity
☙ Increased risk of specific cancers
Safer options
All’s not lost. We have some great alternatives–even organic ones.
☙ Bamboo: This is a personal fav. Not only is it organic, it’s easily replenished!
☙ Glass: Not always the safest but in careful hands, it works.
☙ Silicone: One of my favs. It’s resistant with easy clean up!
☙ Stainless steel: This option works for me, too! I even own, and actually use, a 12 cup, stainless steel percolator! Yup, I can set it on a hot rock or right in the camp fire without it melting or leaching nasty chemicals into one of my beloved java!
☙ Wood: Wood is another fav! It’s especially nice when you’ve been able to receive hand-me-downs from elders who pass along their own wooden utensils.
Truth–I eat 99% of my food with chopsticks. I have dozens of sets made of a variety of materials–bamboo, wood, resin and stainless steel. But, the set I use most often came from one of the Asian restaurants in Evansville, Indiana a couple years ago.
They're comfy and don't take up much space.
A plus since I have most meals at my desk!
A plus since I have most meals at my desk!
I love ALL of the ones I have and have three sets just for cooking! But, these are my go-to’s for most meals. The others, I break out for holidays and special events when my sister wants her table to look fancy.
The Wrap!
Hope this has inspired you to at least consider engaging in a replacement session, if you’ve got plastics, and exchanging them for a safer option. Inconvenient, probably but also worth it.
Thanks for visiting and hope you’ll spread the word!
‘Til next time, shalom, shalom!
Angelia
