Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap for food is an American invention that came about by refining plastics invented during the Second World War. It has been in our homes since 1953.

In the UK, plastic wrap is called “cling film.” In North America, the brand name “Saran Wrap” has become the word used generically by consumers, so dominant in the marketplace is that one brand there.

Some makes of plastic wrap will lose their “cling” over time in the freeze, exposing the food to freezer burn. To prevent this, many people wrap first in plastic wrap, and then either wrap again in tin foil or then place the wrapped food in freezer bags.

Plastic wrap that is edible is now (2004) under development by Oregon State University’s Department of Food Science and Technology. You won’t have to unwrap purchased food before eating it. The wrap can also be used in a liquid form, and just sprayed on the food to coat it. It’s being made partly from “chitosan”, which occurs naturally in the shells of shellfish, and from a protein derived from egg white. It’s thought that fresh fruit can be sprayed with it as well to help it ship better.

Cooking Tips

Obviously, never use plastic wrap on foods which you are putting in a regular oven, or boiling, steaming or barbequing. Any health issues aside, it will melt on your food and you won’t want to eat it.

Substitutes

Depending on intended purpose: tin foil; waxed paper; Tupperware dishes; ceramic ware.

Nutrition

An Internet warning circulates by email about cooking in Plastic Wrap. It warns that eating food microwaved with Plastic Wrap on it could cause cancer. “Saran wrap placed over foods as they are nuked, with the high heat, actually drips poisonous toxins into the food ..” followed by, of course, “pass this along to your friends.”

Research by various authorities to date has only shown, however, that though this is possible with Plastic Wraps not marked as microwave safe, it’s not been proved that the compound in question that can migrate into foods, diethylhexyl adipate (DEHA), has any direct link with cancer. For the compound to migrate into food, the Plastic Wrap must be directly on the food.

The UK government and EU advise that when you use Plastic Wrap in the microwave, you should make sure that it does not touch the food. And that for high fat foods (such as cheese, fried foods, foods with olive oil, etc), you should only use Plastic Wrap that says it is safe for microwave use. The UK government advisory also says that the Plastic Wrap boxes will say what they should be used for: freezing, microwaving, types of food, etc.

Most North American Plastic Wraps are sold as all-purpose, saying on their boxes: “Great in Microwave; Excellent in Freezer & Refrigeration”. The only health warning is “Caution: Sharp cutting edge under tear strip. Avoid Contact.”

Sources

Derbyshire, David. Scientists put edible clingfilm on the menu. London: Daily Telegraph. 7 August 2004.