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Is Ingestion Of Melted Plastic Harmful?

Posted on Wed, 7 May 2014

Question: I just finished eating dinner and I may have ingested melted plastic. The oven was smoking badly while I was making it and I thought it was just food burning off. While eating my food there was stringy plastic in it. I looked in the oven and there was a melted Tupperware bowl that melted and dripped into the food. Is this toxic?? Thank you!

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: There is no cause for concern Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Healthcare-Magic Greetings of the day Dear Mr XXXXXXX The safest plastics for repeated use in storing food are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE, or plastic #2), low-density polyethylene (LDPE, or plastic #4) and polypropylene (PP, or plastic #5). Most Tupperware products are made of LDPE or PP, and as such are considered safe for repeated use storing food items and cycling through the dishwasher. When the Tupperware gets burnt in microwave it partially gets converted in ultra low density polyethylene ( plastic commonly used). Commonly used plastic is toxic if water is consumed in it for years. So single episode of accidental intake of burnt Tupperware is harmless and there is no cause for concern. Take care Best Regards Dr T Shobha Deepak MBBS, MD

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar