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Ziploc has been a brand we all know and trust for all of our resealable plastic bag needs. But a recent class-action lawsuit against the company might have us rethinking everything we thought we knew about Ziploc bags.
Earlier this month, it was announced that Ziploc’s parent company, S.C. Johnson & Son Inc., was being sued by Linda Cheslow, a California resident, for misleading packaging on Ziploc products. The products in question, made from polyethylene and polypropylene, have been medically and scientifically proven to have the potential to release microplastics when subjected to extreme temperatures.
The problem — beyond the fact that microplastics are potentially dangerous — is that these bags are marketed as microwave- and freezer-safe. That means that we’ve all been microwaving and freezing in Ziploc bags and containers, unknowingly releasing microplastics into our food.
How dangerous are microplastics? Well, according to Dr. Alex LeBeau, a toxicologist and certified industrial hygienist, it depends on a lot of factors. For example, the size of the particles and how the body is exposed to them, be it ingestion, inhalation, or through skin contact, and how much of the substance interacts with the body. But the short answer is yes, although there isn’t enough research yet to conclusively say just how dangerous, microplastics are harmful to the body.
“There are some recent studies suggesting that microplastics have been found to contribute to strokes,” says Lebeau. “However, critiques of other vascular-related studies have indicated a lack of associated health effects from the presence of microplastics.”
He explains that in the science community people tend to think that associations are not causal, which means that even though something was found it doesn’t mean it caused a specific problem. The bottom line? “More research is necessary to identify an actual cause of harm,” Lebeau adds.
However, a spokesperson for S.C. Johnson told USA Today in a statement: “We believe Ziploc products are safe when used as directed and the claims in this lawsuit are without merit.”
If you’re worried about whether or not your Ziploc products have been impacted by the potentially misleading marketing, here’s a list of all of the products that have been mentioned in the complaint.
Ziploc Freezer Bags (pint, small, quart, & gallon sizes)
Ziploc Slider Freezer Bags (quart, & gallon sizes)
Ziploc Slider Storage Bags (quart, & gallon sizes)
The complaint also contains a number of photos of the products in question with the term “microwave-safe” printed on the packaging.
Further Reading
The One Cookware Brand That Gordon Ramsay Can’t Stop Talking About
Tuscan Chicken Is the “Most Delicious” Dinner of All Time, Says Everyone Who’s Tried It
Do Water Filters Really Work — And Which Ones Are the Best?
Ziploc bags, Ziploc Freezer Bags, Ziploc Containers, microplastics, S.C. Johnson & Son Inc., Ziploc
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