IntoDiet.com

All of us wonder wether if cooking or reheating food using microwave ovens is safe for our health… we’ve heard lots of rumors about it some of them are true and some are not. First of all the microwave is considered to be one of the most great inventions of the 20th century, but we have to follow the right tips while using it to avoid any harm can affect our health.

According to recent USDA studies, almost all poultry products contain some amount of salmonella contamination. About 25% to 45% of ground chicken samples tested, for example, contain bacterial contamination. Ground turkey averages about 20% to 25% contamination, while chicken broilers average about 10% to 12%. So you should assume that any poultry products you are cooking start off with some salmonella contamination. Egg products contain their own contamination issues as well.Thats why we have to be very careful when cooking or reheating food in the microwave.

There is a problem in microwaved food that it leaves cold spots , where harmful bacteria can survive so we have to follow the safe microwave tips to avoid foodborne illness, first of all arrange your food evenly in the dish then cover with a lid or plastic wrap (microwave-safe use) the moist heat that is created will help kill any harmful bacteria and ensure uniform cook, another thing cook large meat cuts on medium power (50%) instead of cooking it on high power (100%) this will help heat to reach the center of the meat without overcooking the outeside layer.

Next tip is to stir food and rotate dish at the midway of the microwave timing to avoid coldspots where bacteria can survive as we mentioned previously and to ensure cooking evenly.

Never partially cook food and store it to cook it later on the grill or in the oven. When you partially cook food in the microwave you have to transfer it immediatly to the next cooking method (grill or conventional oven).

Use food theremometer or oven’s temperature probe to make sure that food has reached internal safe temperature. Ovens vary in power and effeciancy so cooking time is different for each type of oven, allow a standing time which completes the cooking before using food thermometer to check the internal temperature.

You may ask what containers and wraps that would be safe to use in microwave ovens.

Only use cookware that is specially manufactured for use in the microwave oven. Glass, ceramic containers, and all plastics should be labeled for microwave oven use.

Plastic storage containers such as margarine tubs, take-out containers, whipped topping bowls, and other one-time use containers should not be used in microwave ovens. These containers can warp or melt, possibly causing harmful chemicals to migrate into the food.

Microwave plastic wraps, wax paper, cooking bags, parchment paper, and white microwave-safe paper towels should be safe to use. Do not let plastic wrap touch foods during microwaving.

Never use thin plastic storage bags, brown paper or plastic grocery bags, newspapers, or aluminum foil in the microwave oven.

Conclusion: Its safe to cook or reheat food using microwave ovens but we have to be careful and follow the tips I mentioned previously to stay in a good health.