Around the use of food-grade plastic in general and film in particular, serious controversy erupted. The admissibility of using non-standard material in cooking and possible health risks are discussed.
Can I cook in cling film
There are more and more interesting recipes for cooking using food wrap. Previously untested cooking methods are attractive, but there are legitimate concerns: is it possible to cook in cling film, is it safe to use such non-trivial materials in cooking?
In progressive countries, there is a gradual and systematic abandonment of the use of plastic packaging. Despite the excellent barrier properties of PVC, low price and ease of use, more and more preference is given to types of environmentally friendly packaging: paper parcels, cardboard bags, glass containers, wooden boxes, jute and bamboo fiber. This is due not only to reducing the environmental load on the planet, but also to preserving the health of citizens.
What is the harm
Researchers have long been sounding the alarm about the dangers of plastic. This is due to the potential content of toxic substances that are released when heated. Therefore, a number of prohibitions appeared related to the use of plastic utensils and packaging: its heating is not recommended, as well as long-term storage in polyethylene not intended for food products.
Interesting research group of scientists at the University of Texas at Austin, USA. Tests conducted in 2014 showed a carcinogenic effect of bisphenol A, which is a part of plastics. A negative effect on human embryonic development was noted: there were cases of organogenesis disturbance in the early stages of pregnancy. Thus, harmful plastic components cause oncology and infertility.
However, the abundance of recipes using food film, including from the lips of famous chefs from these most progressive countries, makes one doubt the total harm of all types of plastic. And there are many species, by the way.
When asked whether it is possible to cook in cling film, the composition of the material itself will answer.
Safe film preparation
Is it possible to cook cling film in water? The main question that excites people.
The main component of the stretch film is polyvinyl chloride, a polymer whose monomer is an extremely toxic substance, vinyl chloride. Therefore, a number of stabilizing substances are present in the composition. In addition to the stabilizer, the presence of plasticizers is necessary, providing softness and plasticity of the film. If PVC itself is considered relatively harmless, then the mass of stabilizers and plasticizers necessary to impart convenient properties and maintain this harmlessness must be subjected to careful analysis.
The following plasticizers are used in the production of stretch films:
- Diesters of sebacic, adipic and azelaic acid. The greatest distribution in the production of food film was DOA - di-2-ethylhexyl adipate.
- Phthalates. Diisodecylphthalate (DIDP, DIDP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP, DINP), di-n-octylphthalate (DnOF, DNOP) are used in the manufacture of children's toys, dishes and baby care products. They are considered the safest.
The use of plasticizers is regulated by EU norms, which impose stringent requirements on the safety of public health and environmental protection.
Among the stabilizers allowed in the composition of the food film are mercaptides of oxytin, which, in addition to transparency, give thermal stability. Due to this property, it would seem that a positive answer is given to the question of whether it is possible to cook foods in a food film. But it is worth remembering the temperature regime: most stabilizers can withstand heating up to 80 degrees Celsius, which means that long cooking at the boiling point of water is a dubious experiment.
So, the safe composition of the film has certain permitted compounds, which, as a rule, are strictly regulated even at the production stage.
Is it possible to cook meat in cling film
Among the variety of cooking recipes in the film, meat dishes are especially common. The meat is usually cooked in culinary sleeves and bags, but not in film. Approximate composition: pork or chicken (cooks faster) and spices (black pepper, bay leaf, salt, paprika).
The ingredients are placed in tightly tied bags, then stacked in a pot of water. At the bottom there is a layer of fabric, which eliminates the contact of the sleeve in the heated metal. Boiled over low heat until the meat is ready, usually no more than two hours. According to those who used this recipe, the meat is especially tender, soft and juicy.
Recipes for making sausages and sausages
Is it possible to cook sausage in cling film? There are several recipes that allow you to cook a homemade product. One of the most popular is boiled sausage in a stretch film, for which you will need:
- minced pork - 450 g;
- onions - two medium onions;
- chicken egg - 1 pc.;
- garlic - 4 cloves;
- salt / pepper to taste.
Mix everything thoroughly, put it on a film, twist the sausage, tie it with a thread, making a classic mesh constriction. Cook in boiling salted water over medium heat for 40-50 minutes.
Is it possible to cook sausages in cling film in a similar way? Yes, the cooking technology is the same, the differences are only in the composition. For milk sausages you need to mix minced chicken (300 g), butter (40 g), milk powder (100 g), one egg, paprika, coriander and pepper (a quarter of a dessert spoon), salt. Put the resulting mass into a film, wrap, form small sausages. Boil for half an hour in an open saucepan over medium heat.
Nevertheless, one should be aware of a possible health risk.
Cooking Film Alternatives
Modern industry offers alternatives to cling film. They are more difficult to find, since they are sold far from any supermarket, their cost is higher, but safety is guaranteed exclusively by natural origin. They are obtained from offal carefully crafted and processed in a factory way:
It is not worthwhile to buy such shells on the market, since the quality of the product is doubtful. Safer products of meat processing factories. Natural casings for home-made sausages and sausages are stored in the refrigerator.
In addition to offal, artificially created sausage casings of natural composition are also used as casings:
- Cellulose films are used for steaming and smoking. Greetings from the USSR - in those days, the famous "Doctor's" sausage was sold in such a shell.
- Textile - are made from natural fabric, therefore safety is guaranteed if not in the composition of dyes. Preference should be given to unpainted species.
- Collagen films for cooking. They are made from beef tendon collagen, and therefore have not only a safe composition, but also excellent organoleptic properties.
Whether it is risking health, even if the risk is minimal, having such a variety of alternatives, everyone decides for himself. But still, it is worthwhile to refrain from using non-traditional methods of cooking during pregnancy, feeding, and you should not cook in this way for young children, since at this time the body is most sensitive to negative effects.