Tokyo Food Safety Information Center » Tokyo Metropolitan Government food safety FAQ » There are some frozen foods which are prepared while in the package they are sold in; do the packages of such foods melt under the heat of the microwave?
There are some frozen foods which are prepared while in the package they are sold in; do the packages of such foods melt under the heat of the microwave?
There are some frozen foods which are prepared while in the package they are sold in; do the packages of such foods melt under the heat of the microwave?
Is it safe if I accidentally eat any melted parts of the packaging?
Do any substances harmful to human health dissolve out of the packages?
Is it dangerous if I accidentally heat food in a package that is not supposed to be heated in a microwave?
The packaging used for frozen foods is highly heat resistant and may be heated in a microwave. Such packaging will not deform or melt in a microwave. Packing which is labeled as being safe to use in a microwave will not melt as long as you follow the heating instructions on the package.
Conversely, polystyrene is not heat resistant. If polystyrene packaging is accidentally heated in a microwave, it may deform or melt. If accidentally eaten, however, it will simply be excreted by the body without being digested or absorbed and as such will cause no harmful health effects. Such packaging, however, has not been designed to be heated in a microwave; be sure to check the packaging of frozen foods carefully before putting them in your microwave.