Microwaved food - Safe to eat?Hey guys, it's been a while since I updated my blog. Was gathering some info on some fresh ideas and interesting things to post. For the start of the new season, I'm posting something on Microwave ovens and how safe is it to use them. I think that Microwave ovens are one of the greatest inventions for aiding our cooking lifestyle. Other than its convenience of heating up our food or thawing the frozen chicken, we always wonder about the following:
Do microwaves cook food from the inside out?
Do microwaves cook food from the inside out?
No. Microwaves penetrate the food to a depth of 1 to 1½ inches. In thicker pieces of food, the microwaves don't reach the center. That area would cook by conduction of heat from the outer areas of the food into the middle. In a microwave oven, the air in the oven is at room temperature so the temperature of the food surface is cooler than food in a conventional oven where the food is heated by hot air. Therefore, food cooked in a microwave oven doesn't normally become brown and crispy.
What are the recommended temperatures for microwaving food safely?
Place the thermometer in the thickest area of the meat or poultry — not near fat or bone — and check the temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and in the thickest part of the breast of whole poultry. Cooking times may vary because ovens vary in power and efficiency.
Cook ground meats to 160 °F; ground poultry to 165 °F.
Beef, veal, and lamb steaks, roasts, and chops may be cooked to 145 °F; all cuts of fresh pork, 160 °F.
Poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.
Eggs and casseroles containing eggs, 160 °F.
Fish should reach 145 °F.
Always allow standing time, which completes the cooking, before checking the internal temperature with a food thermometer.
Cook ground meats to 160 °F; ground poultry to 165 °F.
Beef, veal, and lamb steaks, roasts, and chops may be cooked to 145 °F; all cuts of fresh pork, 160 °F.
Poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.
Eggs and casseroles containing eggs, 160 °F.
Fish should reach 145 °F.
Always allow standing time, which completes the cooking, before checking the internal temperature with a food thermometer.
How do you safely reheat cooked food in a microwave oven?
Cover foods with a lid or a microwave-safe plastic wrap to hold in moisture and provide safe, even heating. Turn back a corner for the steam to vent.
Heat ready-to-eat foods such as hot dogs, luncheon meats, fully cooked ham, and leftovers until steaming hot.
After reheating foods in the microwave oven, allow standing time. Then, use a clean food thermometer to check that food has reached 165 °F.
Cover foods with a lid or a microwave-safe plastic wrap to hold in moisture and provide safe, even heating. Turn back a corner for the steam to vent.
Heat ready-to-eat foods such as hot dogs, luncheon meats, fully cooked ham, and leftovers until steaming hot.
After reheating foods in the microwave oven, allow standing time. Then, use a clean food thermometer to check that food has reached 165 °F.
What containers and wraps are safe to use in the microwave oven?
Only use cookware that is specially manufactured for use in the microwave oven. Glass, ceramic containers, and all plastics that are safe to use usually will be labeled for microwave oven use.
SAFE TO USE:
Any utensil labeled for microwave use.
Heatproof glass (such as Pyrex, Anchor Hocking, etc.).
Glass-ceramic (such as Corning Ware).
Oven cooking bags.
Baskets (straw and wood) for quick warm-ups of rolls or bread. Line the basket with napkins to absorb moisture from food.
Most paper plates, towels, napkins and bags. For optimal safety use white, unprinted materials.
Wax paper, parchment paper, heavy plastic wrap. Do not allow plastic wrap to touch food; vent it to allow a steam escape.
Heat-susceptor packaging.
Any utensil labeled for microwave use.
Heatproof glass (such as Pyrex, Anchor Hocking, etc.).
Glass-ceramic (such as Corning Ware).
Oven cooking bags.
Baskets (straw and wood) for quick warm-ups of rolls or bread. Line the basket with napkins to absorb moisture from food.
Most paper plates, towels, napkins and bags. For optimal safety use white, unprinted materials.
Wax paper, parchment paper, heavy plastic wrap. Do not allow plastic wrap to touch food; vent it to allow a steam escape.
Heat-susceptor packaging.
NOT SAFE TO USE:
Cold storage containers: margarine tubs, cottage cheese and yogurt cartons, etc. These materials are not approved for cooking and chemicals can migrate into food.
Brown paper bags and newspapers.
Metal pans.
Foam-insulated cups, bowls, plates or trays.
China with metallic paint or trim.
Chinese "take-out" containers with metal handles.
Metal "twist ties" on package wrapping.
Food completely wrapped in aluminum foil.
Food cooked in any container or packaging that has warped or melted during heating.
Cold storage containers: margarine tubs, cottage cheese and yogurt cartons, etc. These materials are not approved for cooking and chemicals can migrate into food.
Brown paper bags and newspapers.
Metal pans.
Foam-insulated cups, bowls, plates or trays.
China with metallic paint or trim.
Chinese "take-out" containers with metal handles.
Metal "twist ties" on package wrapping.
Food completely wrapped in aluminum foil.
Food cooked in any container or packaging that has warped or melted during heating.
Do microwaves make food "radioactive"?
No. Microwave energy uses a wave length similar to television, radio waves, electric shavers and radar. It does not make food "radioactive." X-rays and nuclear radiation are at the other end of the spectrum and are a million times more powerful.
For more info please visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Microwave_Ovens_and_Food_Safety/index.asp
The site provides info on how to thaw frozen food safely, whether it is safe to use aluminium foil & wraps to heat your food and all the other basic info you need to know about your microwave ovens!
Alright, enjoy the read and make sure you use a microwave safe products (e.g. Pyrex) when using the Microwave oven.
