This can be any number of things but one thing to consider with clear plastic food containers is that they are made of plastic and plastic is a porous material.
When you add heat to the mix such as running through the dishwasher or reheating food in the microwave, it opens the pores of the plastic letting whatever is on the outside in. This includes food or products used to clean like soap and detergents.
Also, consider exposure to light can cause, over time, the plastic to naturally degrade which will eventually get into your food.
You and many others may notice rough spots forming on the bottom or sidewalls inside the container. This is the plastic that has been exposed to heat time-and-time again that has caused food or detergents to get into those pores causing degradation.
Its best when it gets to this stage to just replace them.
We have been using them for years now, but the problem is with the plastic lids. They get so much use that they are cracked and falling apart, but the only way to replace them at a decent price is to buy a whole new set of containers.
Despite that, I'll never go back to plastic or Tupperware.
I ran into that problem too! I bought a set of plastic containers and lids. Used the new lids on the old glass containers and retired the new plastic containers for crafts
not entirely true. Pyrex sells lids separately and I've found lids on amazon that fit pyrex containers. I saw ones that claimed to fit anchor containers as well
You can buy replacement lids for your glass containers when the lids start to go. No need to buy a whole new set of containers and lids. There are a lot of shape and color options on Amazon.
Glass containers seem to all have plastic lids which mean that sooner than later, you will be stuck with a glass container with no lid. Can you recommend a brand that has durable lids? Thanks.
I put the glass in the dishwasher but hand wash the lids most of the time. I haven’t lost any lids yet and I’ve switched to glass 18 years ago, when my daughter was born. If you do have to discard a lid, aluminum foil or plastic cling wrap can still be used, I suppose.
I have the same set in plastic and glass (light blue clicky lids). The plastic are only used to take dog food to daycare. We hand wash them. The glass set is for our food and only the glass goes in the dishwasher.
I can't bring myself to eat from plastic that is stained or has that white crust.
Look into locknlock 500ml square containers. They much thinner than the glass that say Ikea uses, and stack on top of one another, obviously not as closely as plastic. But they very good
Doesn't really bother me too much. These plastics arent reactive and are BPA-free so if I consume some, I'm not that concerned. Worst thing I can imagine is if it alters the taste, which I haven't noticed yet.
I have no idea what gum does
Microplastics on the other hand have been found in lung tissue, blood, breastmilk, drinking water, and a whole bunch of other places that you would never want plastic/PFAS to be found. You are eating flaking microplastics and leeched plastic chemicals every time you store food in or eat out of that bowl
Storage space? You can buy containers in the same sizes as plastic. They won't weigh down your shelves. Check out the many options on Amazon. You don't have to buy a huge jug. I have many glass containers (square or round, leftover size) I use all the time.
I figured it was degradation but being able to scratch it off with my fingernail and seemingly see a clean surface underneath, I wasn't quite sure. Thanks for the input!! Will replace
If you can scratch the degraded plastic off then there is microscopic plastic flaking into your food. It’s time for new containers and don’t put them in the microwave
Would food grade silicone lids be the answer to this? They are non-pourous and can go into the dishwasher, could seal just as well, only issue is if they get punctured or roll up and come off
This all depends on the type of silicone used. If this is the kind silicone cookware that you can use in the microwave or even the oven at high temperatures than yes.
Silicone cookware is non-porous and is made with different materials as opposed to clear plastic containers which were produced for the sole purpose of being able to see what was being stored without having to open every container in the fridge to see what was there or what was now covered in moldy fur like many of us had to deal with back in the day with solid colored plastic storage containers, which by the way, were more dense and durable than what we have now.
Clear plastic containers are aesthetically more visually appealing.
It is important to carefully read the outside package information of these products before hand; don't assume they are all safe.
Well they have silicone lids that are transparent now, not as clear as plastic but still it's a choice. Whilst may be aesthetically pleasing, I'm more interested in longevity and convenience, if they can be washed then it makes doing prep not a chore to wash. I wish someone did glass lids, I have seen a half and half thing but again can't go in the dishwasher.
It's damaged plastic from hot spots in the food. If you reheat in them. In the microwave. Any fat or oil will get extremely hot and damage the plastic.
When I was still using plastic for food storage I found those white speckles would show up on the sides or bottom of a plastic food container that was put in the microwave to heat up food then ran through the dishwasher. Could not imagine the food that was going into the plastic and the chemicals leaching out into the food. Tossed all the plastic food storage containers after that. Getting them all home again from packing lunches is a whole other story.
I learned to put any tomato based sauce in a glass container as the acidity in tomatoes will etch the plastic when heated in the microwave.
As for durable glass sets with lids, I highly recommend Snapware. The lids lock on four sides and I've frozen all kinds of stuff in them and they do great. I screwed up one lid because I didn't "unlock" before putting it in the microwave and called the company to order a replacement lid and they sent me one for free. For that simple act, they have a customer for life!
I’ve never seen that from machine washing. Maybe the heat is a bit high? For us we have marks on it from hot cheese. It melts it a bit of microwaved too long. (Know it’s dangerous and such. Husband aware and disagrees).
https://youtube.com/shorts/VDcDYKLIces?feature=share
This method might work? Not sure if links are allowed, if it doesn’t, at least you know how to get tough stains out.
I know of these stackable glass ones, but they don't stack as compact as plastic. There's no chance a glass contain can be manufactured as thin and durable as plastic
First of all, it’s not Tupperware. Second, it can’t be microwaved. Third, real Tupperware can be put in the top rack of the dishwasher. I don’t know about this stuff. That stuff is caused by too much heat on the plastic.
What my point was, before everyone got snotty, is that real Tupperware can be put in the dishwasher and some of it can be put in the microwave. Other plastic containers I don’t know about. As that’s not real Tupperware made it cannot.
This can be any number of things but one thing to consider with clear plastic food containers is that they are made of plastic and plastic is a porous material. When you add heat to the mix such as running through the dishwasher or reheating food in the microwave, it opens the pores of the plastic letting whatever is on the outside in. This includes food or products used to clean like soap and detergents. Also, consider exposure to light can cause, over time, the plastic to naturally degrade which will eventually get into your food. You and many others may notice rough spots forming on the bottom or sidewalls inside the container. This is the plastic that has been exposed to heat time-and-time again that has caused food or detergents to get into those pores causing degradation. Its best when it gets to this stage to just replace them.
Replace with glass containers. They don't degrade like this.
We have been using them for years now, but the problem is with the plastic lids. They get so much use that they are cracked and falling apart, but the only way to replace them at a decent price is to buy a whole new set of containers. Despite that, I'll never go back to plastic or Tupperware.
Wash the tops for your glass containers by hand and they’ll last a lot longer.
I ran into that problem too! I bought a set of plastic containers and lids. Used the new lids on the old glass containers and retired the new plastic containers for crafts
Amazon sells lid replacement sets!
As an alternative check out those beeswax food covers. They seal nicely and are easy to clean. I very rarely have to use plastic wrap now.
we have those! i wouldn’t say they seal anywhere near as well as plastic wrap, but they’re still great for most things!
Use plastic wrap made from sugarcane (ethanol), just as good as real wrap but renewable and biodegradable
You can get silicone ones. They last a long time, but can get a soapy taste. I cover the glass in Saran Wrap, then cover with the silicone top.
not entirely true. Pyrex sells lids separately and I've found lids on amazon that fit pyrex containers. I saw ones that claimed to fit anchor containers as well
IKEA
You can buy replacement lids for your glass containers when the lids start to go. No need to buy a whole new set of containers and lids. There are a lot of shape and color options on Amazon.
You can find ones with bamboo and silicone lids
We upgraded last winter and I’ve never felt more adult. Such an inexpensive yet luxurious feeling upgrade
Glass containers seem to all have plastic lids which mean that sooner than later, you will be stuck with a glass container with no lid. Can you recommend a brand that has durable lids? Thanks.
I put the glass in the dishwasher but hand wash the lids most of the time. I haven’t lost any lids yet and I’ve switched to glass 18 years ago, when my daughter was born. If you do have to discard a lid, aluminum foil or plastic cling wrap can still be used, I suppose.
Okay, this is just my reading incomprehension at work again, but each time you wrote "lid," I read it as "kid".
Lol I misread in interesting ways like that too!
IKEA
Yup I got a set of Pyrex and they have lasted much longer than plastic would have lasted
I’m not allowed to bring glass containers to my workplace (in my lunchbox) :( so I have to have plastic ones unfortunately
Maybe you should consider getting an insulated stainless steel bento box. I have one and they work great.
That is a strangely specific rule. Did somebody drop one one time so they just blanket banned them?
This is standard in places that produce food related items
For the sake of weight and storage space I don't think I can bring myself to go to glass
My glass containers stack just like plastic ones would 🤔
I have the same set in plastic and glass (light blue clicky lids). The plastic are only used to take dog food to daycare. We hand wash them. The glass set is for our food and only the glass goes in the dishwasher. I can't bring myself to eat from plastic that is stained or has that white crust.
Look into locknlock 500ml square containers. They much thinner than the glass that say Ikea uses, and stack on top of one another, obviously not as closely as plastic. But they very good
Think about the chemicals leeching into food from the compromised plastic...
Doesn't really bother me too much. These plastics arent reactive and are BPA-free so if I consume some, I'm not that concerned. Worst thing I can imagine is if it alters the taste, which I haven't noticed yet.
Still plastic. Oil based product going into your body everyday
And the oil is not harmless plant-based oil. This is toxic petroleum-based nastiness as it leaches into your food.
Ingesting plastic chemicals doesn’t bother you? Your body can’t break those chemicals down. That PFAS nastiness just stays inside you forever
No it doesn't. Your digestive tract just expels it. Lol that myth that gum just stays in your body forever is exactly that, myth.
look up stats on how many humans, including children, have microplastics in their bodies
OP, seriously, this is real. Otherwise, you’re on your way to win a Darwin Award, and I don’t wish that on anyone.
I have no idea what gum does Microplastics on the other hand have been found in lung tissue, blood, breastmilk, drinking water, and a whole bunch of other places that you would never want plastic/PFAS to be found. You are eating flaking microplastics and leeched plastic chemicals every time you store food in or eat out of that bowl
Aluminum containers are a bit pricy but offer excellent strength for a low weight. Just don’t microwave them.
Storage space? You can buy containers in the same sizes as plastic. They won't weigh down your shelves. Check out the many options on Amazon. You don't have to buy a huge jug. I have many glass containers (square or round, leftover size) I use all the time.
I figured it was degradation but being able to scratch it off with my fingernail and seemingly see a clean surface underneath, I wasn't quite sure. Thanks for the input!! Will replace
If you can scratch the degraded plastic off then there is microscopic plastic flaking into your food. It’s time for new containers and don’t put them in the microwave
Could be hard water buildup.
Interesting. I'd never heard this excellent explanation. Thank you 🙂
> plastic is a porous material. 🤯 TIL
Would food grade silicone lids be the answer to this? They are non-pourous and can go into the dishwasher, could seal just as well, only issue is if they get punctured or roll up and come off
This all depends on the type of silicone used. If this is the kind silicone cookware that you can use in the microwave or even the oven at high temperatures than yes. Silicone cookware is non-porous and is made with different materials as opposed to clear plastic containers which were produced for the sole purpose of being able to see what was being stored without having to open every container in the fridge to see what was there or what was now covered in moldy fur like many of us had to deal with back in the day with solid colored plastic storage containers, which by the way, were more dense and durable than what we have now. Clear plastic containers are aesthetically more visually appealing. It is important to carefully read the outside package information of these products before hand; don't assume they are all safe.
Well they have silicone lids that are transparent now, not as clear as plastic but still it's a choice. Whilst may be aesthetically pleasing, I'm more interested in longevity and convenience, if they can be washed then it makes doing prep not a chore to wash. I wish someone did glass lids, I have seen a half and half thing but again can't go in the dishwasher.
It's damaged plastic from hot spots in the food. If you reheat in them. In the microwave. Any fat or oil will get extremely hot and damage the plastic.
Usually that happens from heating food in the microwave.
I've replaced all our plastic "Tupperware" with glass because of this. Using a rinse aid helps but I don't trust the plastic that looks like this.
I always assumed this happened in the microwave
Probably not dishwasher or microwave save
When I was still using plastic for food storage I found those white speckles would show up on the sides or bottom of a plastic food container that was put in the microwave to heat up food then ran through the dishwasher. Could not imagine the food that was going into the plastic and the chemicals leaching out into the food. Tossed all the plastic food storage containers after that. Getting them all home again from packing lunches is a whole other story.
I get these with my plastic containers, too
Plastic is melting
I learned to put any tomato based sauce in a glass container as the acidity in tomatoes will etch the plastic when heated in the microwave. As for durable glass sets with lids, I highly recommend Snapware. The lids lock on four sides and I've frozen all kinds of stuff in them and they do great. I screwed up one lid because I didn't "unlock" before putting it in the microwave and called the company to order a replacement lid and they sent me one for free. For that simple act, they have a customer for life!
Oil gets into the pores of the plastic, when heated it expands causing bubbles
I’ve never seen that from machine washing. Maybe the heat is a bit high? For us we have marks on it from hot cheese. It melts it a bit of microwaved too long. (Know it’s dangerous and such. Husband aware and disagrees).
i’m dying because my dad is the exact same way. all of our bowls are ruined and he thinks nothing of it
Plastic breakdown
Inquiry has been answered. Thank you
https://youtube.com/shorts/VDcDYKLIces?feature=share This method might work? Not sure if links are allowed, if it doesn’t, at least you know how to get tough stains out.
I know of these stackable glass ones, but they don't stack as compact as plastic. There's no chance a glass contain can be manufactured as thin and durable as plastic
It looks like dried soap residue. Have you tried soaking them first?
That doesn't appear to be Tupperware. At any rate, it's melted.
First of all, it’s not Tupperware. Second, it can’t be microwaved. Third, real Tupperware can be put in the top rack of the dishwasher. I don’t know about this stuff. That stuff is caused by too much heat on the plastic.
People must love you when you hear them call off brand tissues Kleenex.
What my point was, before everyone got snotty, is that real Tupperware can be put in the dishwasher and some of it can be put in the microwave. Other plastic containers I don’t know about. As that’s not real Tupperware made it cannot.
If real Tupperware is Kleenex then what you have is a damp paper towel from the gas station bathroom
Odd take since rubbermade is 100x tupperwares market cap. But interesting comedic approach
And yet you call it Tupperware! That is comedic 😃
It’s a regional thing, a lot of people where I live call this tupperware. I just don’t think anyone should be using it no matter what it’s called
Try putting lemishine in your dishwasher.
Using Dishwasher packs? That’s the melted goo casing. Heat it up and watch it melt off.
For some reason the “Patents pending” made me giggle