Is the use of cling film safe? Can it be used or not?

There are so many controversies about cling films, and many people simply discard them just to be on the safe side. However, this will undoubtedly bring a lot of trouble to life. In fact, as long as you choose the right material and use, the safety and convenience of using cling films are very high.

01 Common 3 types of cling film

There are three common types of plastic wrap, namely PE polyethylene, PVC polyvinyl chloride, and PVDC polyvinylidene chloride, with vastly different properties and uses.

PE polyethylene: A waxy solid that can dissolve in some organic solvents at 60-80 degrees Celsius, colorless and odorless. It is used in cling films, containers, toys, and plastic bags, etc. It has good breathability and water permeability, but poor heat resistance, making it unsuitable for holding hot food, boiling water, etc.

PVC polyvinyl chloride: A polymer with excellent processability and transparency, commonly used in candy and drug packaging. The disadvantage is that the plasticizer released at high temperatures is harmful and cannot be used at high temperatures, nor can it be used in foods such as fats, meat, and cooked foods.

PVDC polyvinylidene chloride: Poor breathability and water permeability, which is why it is very suitable for isolating water, gas, and oil. It has strong chemical resistance and can be used for cooked food and meat. The disadvantage is that it has few application fields and high cost.

02 Precautions for using cling film

Pay attention to selection when purchasing

Firstly, check the label. When purchasing cling film, pay attention to the PE and QS labels. If there are, purchase safely and use with confidence. In addition, pay attention to checking information such as production date and manufacturer address. Secondly, based on the color, white is generally made of PE (polyethylene) material, while yellow is made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) material. Relatively speaking, polyethylene has better safety. Finally, when rubbing with hands, polyethylene material is easy to open, has low transparency and viscosity, while polyvinyl chloride is prone to sticking to the hands.

Distinguish between different cling films and use them for roasting

The reaction to burning varies depending on the material used. PVC material has a pungent taste, black flames, and emits black smoke, while PE material has no taste, and yellow flames have no smoke. After leaving the ignition source, it can continue to burn.

Choose the appropriate cling film according to the situation

As mentioned above, the heat resistance and use of different materials of plastic wrap vary. For safety reasons, the material should be selected based on the purpose before use, and one piece of plastic wrap cannot be used to the end, which reduces safety. Generally speaking, it is sufficient to carefully review the instructions before use.

Do not directly wrap food during microwave heating

Generally speaking, the surface of the cling film should be marked with whether it can be used in a microwave and whether it can be heated. If not, there will be warning signs, such as "Do not heat in a microwave", "Do not touch greasy food", "Do not use at high temperatures", and so on. The heating temperature in a microwave oven usually exceeds 110 degrees Celsius, which is unacceptable for some cling films, such as PVC materials. It is also not recommended to directly come into contact with food for cling films made of other materials. If there are air holes on the surface of the packaging box, do not put them directly into the microwave oven.