Ever heard that cooking with black plastic utensils might not be the best choice for your health? If you’re even a little worried about things like microplastics in your food, you might want to rethink using that black plastic spatula or spoon in the kitchen. Here’s why: Some black plastics aren’t just regular plastic—they might come from recycled electronics. Yes, that old gaming rig could be what’s stirring your pasta, and it might bring some less-than-appetizing chemicals along with it.

Why Black Plastic?

Unlike clear or lighter-colored plastics, black plastic is a bit more mysterious. It’s harder to recycle, and sometimes recycling plants mix in plastic from electronics, which can carry leftover chemicals from their previous life. And while recycling is usually great for the planet, mixing electronics into kitchen tools could mean that things like flame retardants or even heavy metals end up in our cooking tools—not exactly things you’d want near your food!

Why Heat and Plastic Don’t Mix

Cooking with any kind of plastic can get a bit risky because heating plastic can release chemicals that can seep into food. Black plastic can be especially problematic because the heat can break down the plastic and make it more likely to “leach” these chemicals into what you’re cooking.

So, every time you scrape your black plastic spatula along a hot pan, tiny bits of plastic or unwanted chemicals might be mixing in with your food. Not very appetizing, right?

Easy, Safer Alternatives to Black Plastic

Luckily, you don’t have to ditch every plastic item in your kitchen—just swapping out black plastic utensils for safer options can make a difference. Here are a few alternatives:

1. Silicone: Silicone utensils are great for cooking; they’re heat-resistant, come in lots of colors, and don’t have the same chemical worries as black plastic.
2. Wood: Wooden spoons and spatulas are classic and safe, and they don’t leach chemicals into your food. They’re also sturdy and long-lasting!
3. Stainless Steel: If you’re cooking with metal-friendly pots and pans, stainless steel is another safe option, though you may want to avoid it on non-stick surfaces.

A Simple Change for Peace of Mind

Swapping out your black plastic spatula isn’t going to change your life, but it’s a small way to keep some extra mystery chemicals out of your meals. So go ahead, give your black plastic the boot, and replace it with something that won’t be plotting chemical ambushes in your soup.

Reference: Black plastics: Linear and circular economies, hazardous additives and marine pollution

[Via The Atlantic]

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