Should you throw away the black plastic utensils in your kitchen? Here is the experts’ answer

Do black plastic utensils pose health risks? Experts respond and give you their advice.

You may have this utensil in your kitchen. The black plastic spatula, like certain sushi platters and children’s toys, could be dangerous to your health. In the United States, scientists are warning about these objects. The reason: the flame retardants they contain.

According to the specialized site Cancer Environnement, “ brominated flame retardants are incorporated into consumer products to make them less flammable “. These are additives – or flame retardants – that manufacturers began adding to their products (televisions, computers) in the 1970s in order to slow the spread of fires.

However, past studies have proven that flame retardants can leach from plastics, especially when they are heated. The scientific community has suspected flame retardants of having harmful effects on health and the environment for several years. Therefore, many households ask themselves the question of whether they should get rid of objects that contain them.

What are the risks and how to limit them?

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The New York Times looked into the issue and asked several environmental health professors for their opinions. The American newspaper specifies that it is complicated to know exactly which products contain flame retardants. “ Researchers found these chemicals in 17 of more than 200 household products tested », responsible for cancers, endocrine disruption and effects on reproductive and neurodevelopmental health.

However, these products have been banned since 2021 due to their dangerousness to the environment and health, recalls the New York Times. A 2018 study by Stuart Harrad, professor of environmental chemistry at the University of Birmingham, showed that dipping these utensils in hot cooking oil for 15 minutes was the “ worst case scenario ».

Joseph Allen, professor at Harvard University, tries to reassure: “Under normal conditions of use, it is very unlikely that these chemicals will end up in the foods you cook at significant levels that should cause you concern.” .

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But then, what can we do to limit the risks? Some experts advise avoiding leaving plastic utensils in hot pots or pans, reheating food in black plastic utensils, and throwing away any similar items that become chipped to prevent them from contaminating food. food if it bursts.

Finally, specialists advise replacing spatulas and other black plastic utensils with wooden or metal spatulas so as not to scratch non-stick pans.