Author Topic: Egg Omelet Preparation in Ziploc Bag_Toxicity Issues  (Read 6032 times)

jong_1

  • Guest
Egg Omelet Preparation in Ziploc Bag_Toxicity Issues
« on: June 26, 2007, 11:16:27 PM »
I came across this old post regarding the preparation of egg omelets in Ziploc bags via boiling water:

http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=71835.0

If by chance you're following this advice, which has been a 'Food Fad' for about 1 year, be sure to check out the following article:

http://camping.about.com/od/campingrecipes/a/ziplocbaggies.htm

Ziploc Omelets may be Toxic
From David Sweet,
Your Guide to Camping.

Don't Boil with Ziploc Bags

This morning I was watching the Rachel Ray show, and she had a guest who demonstrated how to make omelets in a bag, which are simply eggs and other ingredients mashed together in a Ziploc baggie and submersed in boiling water to cook. I used to have several variations of this recipe on the camping site until a reader sent me a copy of this press release from the University of Illinois that was claiming that Ziploc omelets may be toxic.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3, 2006

"I thought it was important to respond to a questionably safe Food Fad, the ZIPLOC OMELET. It is the latest NOT recommended fad. Please... DON'T try this at home and we will tell you exactly why. What is circulating around again is instructions on cooking omelets in Ziploc bags. This is not recommended until further research is done on cooking with plastics.

There is still question about the cancer causing breakdown of plastics and their contact with food during cooking.
"We have contacted the Ziploc company and they replied by telling us that ZIPLOCŪ brand Bags cannot be used to boil food. They also told us that they do not manufacture a "boilable" bag.... yet.


"They do not recommend using any ZIPLOCŪ brand Bag in boiling water, or to "boil" in the microwave. ZIPLOCŪ brand Bags are made from polyethylene plastic with a softening point of approximately 195 degrees Fahrenheit. By pouring near boiling water (water begins to boil at 212 degrees) into the bag, or putting the bag into the water, the plastic could begin to melt. Might I add that eggs and cheese have fat which gets much hotter than water thus the likelihood of melting the plastic increases.

"It is so easy to start something unhealthy like the idea of a ZIPLOC OMELET. All you have to do is type it up and send it out to everyone you know via e-mail. It spreads like wild fire. The ZIPLOC OMELET instructions start out by telling you "This works great !!!" But who ever started the idea had not contacted the company who manufactures the bag to see if such cooking techniques were recommended. Therefore people receiving the instructions might just assume this idea is safe and it is not.

"The specific concern centers on the possible contamination of foods with known carcinogens that may be present in plastic containers and wraps.

"This issue is certain to generate much research to clarify the potential risks. Until this issue is fully resolved, consumers who want to take a cautious approach should not use Ziploc type bags for boiling food in water or in the microwave. People should continue making omelets the old traditional way until plastic bag manufacturers come out with an approved safe bag that while heated containing food will produce no carcinogens."

According to SC Johnson's Frequently Asked Questions page:

Can I boil in ZiplocŪ Brand bags?

No. ZiplocŪ Brand bags are not designed to withstand the extreme heat of boiling.I also received a letter from Megan O. Maginnis, Consumer Specialist for S.C. Johnson & Son, makers of Ziploc baggies.Megan was replying to my inquiry about boiling with baggies.

"Thank you for asking about using Ziploc bags to make omelets. While we appreciate hearing about new and innovative ways to use our products, we must be cautious that these new ideas follow label directions.

"Ziploc bags are not designed or approved to withstand the extreme heat of boiling and therefore, using Ziploc bags to make any recipe that requires the bag to be boiled is not recommended.

"Like all of SC Johnson's products, Ziploc bags cam be used with confidence when label directions are followed. All Ziploc containers and microwaveable Ziploc bags meet safety requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for temperatures associated with defrosting and reheating food in microwave ovens,as well as room, refrigerator, and freezer temperatures.

"Please share these facts with others who may have this misleading information. We also encourage people to go to www.ziploc.com for more information on the proper use of this product."Ziploc is a registered trademark of the SC Johnson Co. If you have concerns about cooking with Ziploc bags, you can call the SC Johnson Product Safety Department at 1-866-231-5406. They will address any questions you may have.




DK II

  • Getbig V
  • *****
  • Posts: 31269
  • Call me 4 steroids: 571-332-2588 or 571-249-4163
Re: Egg Omelet Preparation in Ziploc Bag_Toxicity Issues
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2007, 03:07:21 AM »
how stupid can you be?

probably tastes like shit, too.  :P

Dr. D

  • Getbig III
  • ***
  • Posts: 579
  • Vince and Derek: Match made in GetBig Heaven!
Re: Egg Omelet Preparation in Ziploc Bag_Toxicity Issues
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2007, 07:36:07 AM »
Rachel Ray is a moron!!!

Yes, plastics have xenoestrogen which are external toxic sources of estrogen. These external toxins have been found to have estrogen like effects in the body. Most are petroleum derivatives. Xenoestrogens are found in plastics, computer chips, PVC, pesticides, soap, clothes, DDT and other modern manufactured goods.


Princess L

  • Moderator
  • Getbig V
  • *****
  • Posts: 13094
  • I stop for turtles
Re: Egg Omelet Preparation in Ziploc Bag_Toxicity Issues
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2007, 11:58:16 AM »
Thanks for posting this info J.

Awhile back, someone posted instructions how to do this and it seemed like a good idea at the time.  I never did end up trying it because upon second thought it just didn't seem safe  :-\


http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=71835.msg1068637#msg1068637
:

ON1

  • Getbig II
  • **
  • Posts: 38
Re: Egg Omelet Preparation in Ziploc Bag_Toxicity Issues
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2007, 01:31:26 PM »
This email - which has been circulating around the internet for quite some time now - is not real.

I'm not saying that it's OK to boil softened plastic - just that the email itself and it's cited sources are not legit.

http://1heckofaguy.com/2007/01/15/to-make-an-omelette-does-one-have-to-take-a-few-carcinogens/


Chamorrita

  • Getbig III
  • ***
  • Posts: 939
  • Mens sana in corpore sano.
Re: Egg Omelet Preparation in Ziploc Bag_Toxicity Issues
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2007, 02:46:15 PM »
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cookplastic.asp

Here's an article debunking the claims.

jong_1

  • Guest
Re: Egg Omelet Preparation in Ziploc Bag_Toxicity Issues
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2007, 02:57:55 PM »
Wow, definitely a lot of misinformation and propaganda on both sides...

The Q and A(FAQ) at: http://www.ziploc.com/ has some clear(er) answers.

Ziploc repeatedly stresses the importance of following label directions when using their products, i.e. if it says don't use in boiling water, don't do it or if it provides the conditions in which the bag(s) are to be used, anything outside of those conditions should be considered off limits.


SamoanIrishman

  • Getbig IV
  • ****
  • Posts: 2052
  • Why stress the little people..
Re: Egg Omelet Preparation in Ziploc Bag_Toxicity Issues
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2007, 08:21:19 AM »
Hmm...I just seen a Ziplock "Steam Bag" commercial on TV last night..

So I take it I shouldn't use the plastic straws to stir my coffee either? ::)

Dr. D

  • Getbig III
  • ***
  • Posts: 579
  • Vince and Derek: Match made in GetBig Heaven!
Re: Egg Omelet Preparation in Ziploc Bag_Toxicity Issues
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2007, 08:25:21 AM »
Hmm...I just seen a Ziplock "Steam Bag" commercial on TV last night..

So I take it I shouldn't use the plastic straws to stir my coffee either? ::)

hahaha.....well to be honest.....how about those cups they are served in..... ;D

DK II

  • Getbig V
  • *****
  • Posts: 31269
  • Call me 4 steroids: 571-332-2588 or 571-249-4163
Re: Egg Omelet Preparation in Ziploc Bag_Toxicity Issues
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2007, 04:42:20 AM »
haha, i think the problem is the softeners they use in plastics. plastic bags contain more than other plastics.

if the coffee isn't too hot and you drink fast enough it should not be a problem...

Don't you have paper cups??  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

SamoanIrishman

  • Getbig IV
  • ****
  • Posts: 2052
  • Why stress the little people..
Re: Egg Omelet Preparation in Ziploc Bag_Toxicity Issues
« Reply #10 on: July 09, 2007, 09:49:59 AM »
Microwaving plastic containers and wraps releases harmful, cancer-causing substances into food.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), stories have circulated for years about the harm from chemicals in plastics leaching into microwaved foods. There is some evidence that substances used to make certain plastics can migrate into some foods. But the FDA has evaluated the migration levels of these substances and has found them to be well within the margin of safety.

The FDA carefully reviews the substances used to make plastics designed for food use, including microwave-safe plastic wraps and containers. These plastics are classified as "food contact substances." The FDA must find them safe for their intended use before these products can be marketed as such.

Other claims have suggested that plastics contain dioxins, a group of contaminants labeled as a "likely human carcinogen" by the Environmental Protection Agency. But according to the FDA, there is no evidence that plastic containers or wraps contain dioxins.