Toxic Ziploc Omelet Procedure
A while ago it was the rage to make omelets in a Zip-Lock bag. Here are the reasons it isn’t such a good idea.
In several of my previous articles I have highly praised all the various benefits associated with the popular Zip-lock storage bags. These points commending the zip-locks usefulness are still valid however several readers of my articles have written to me describing a very hazardous cooking procedure that they had heard about involving the zip-locks. I have written this article to advise my survival readers of this present danger.
Although Rachael Ray may use it and others highly recommend it, the use of plastic zip-locks in the preparation of Omelets is not suggested. This method of using plastic zip-lock bags can be down right dangerous. Those appetizing zip-lock omelets are without doubt extremely toxic.
The University of Illinois has released a statement saying that Ziploc omelets represent nothing more then a toxic cocktail. Those entire quick omelet instructions you may encounter on the internet or you possibly watch on the food channel can be dreadfully deceptive. The practice of cooking with plastic bags has not received enough exploratory research necessary. There simply does not exist enough research data to ascertain if the process is hazardous or not due. Within the process is a potential for cancer generating breakdown associated with the plastics contacting the food during the cooking period.
The Ziploc Company, S.C Johnson and son, voluntarily affirms that their brand of plastic bags should not be employed for boiling food. They have disclosed that they do not under any circumstances advocate using the bag in boiling water. Zip-lock bags are manufactured from polyethylene plastic which is predisposed to soften when subjected to temperatures in excess of 195 degrees F. The procedure of inserting these plastic bags into a pot of boiling water or just as harmful by placing the boiling water into it, could cause the plastic to commence breaking down and possibly resulting in melting. Since the egg and cheese contained in an omelet includes fat of their own the mixture tends to get even hotter then the boiling water.
The major concern here is of course the possible contamination of the food as well as the cancer causing carcinogens resulting from the chemical decomposition of the plastic bag. This does not however preclude the use of the bag for mixing ingredients or to store the various constituents that survivalists generally require. The problem is the bag chemical breaks down under the high temperatures. The associated heat is what chemically breaks down the Zip-lock. The company has stated that the Zip-lock bag was never designed or approved for subjection to these extremes of heat found when boiling and they do not recommend such procedures.
Any concerns which you may be having about the use of zip-locks and your food can be answered by contacting S.C. Johnson and Son at 866-231-5406 or you may visit their website at Ziplock. I hope this has alleviated the potential for a dangerous procedure in the use of these valuable items. After all we don’t want to lose good survivalists, do we?
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10 Comments
someone, posted this comment on Jun 1st, 2009
who cares they are good omelets
katy, posted this comment on Jun 8th, 2009
How about using the crock pot liners?
Jeff T, posted this comment on Jun 23rd, 2009
How can you say that they are “without a doubt extremely toxic” and follow it up with the statement “There simply is not enough research to ascertain if the process is hazardous or not due (sic)”.
While I think it’s better safe than sorry, your original over-dramatic statement costs you credibility.
Joseph Parish, posted this comment on Jun 25th, 2009
Jeff, you inquired how I can make remarks that the Ziploc bags are “without a doubt extremely toxic” and then proceed to follow that with “There simply is not enough research to ascertain if the process is hazardous or not due…..” Well if you had read the article carefully you would find several explanations made in relation to a University study as well as to remarks from the maker of the bags themselves.
The omelets made by use of the Ziploc bags are in fact toxic! The problem stems from not knowing exactly how toxic the eggs that are made in them become. As mentioned within the article the University of Illinois was the ones who initially began questioning the procedure.
Actually, if you are familiar with chemistry at all, you will know that the chemical structure of the plastics used for making the bags when broke down can very well promote cancer. I feel certain that the University is correct in their assumption that perhaps due to these plastic materials they could represent a major cancer concern.
Along with the comments from the University we also have statements made by the manufacturer that the bags should not in any way, shape or form be used for boiling food. Zip-lock bags are manufactured from polyethylene plastic which softens greatly when heated. Johnson & Johnson states that using the Ziploc bags in this manner could easily cause the chemical breakdown of the materials resulting in the bag melting. Once the bag has melted you can be sure of contamination of your enclosed food. In view of all this I would still stand firm on what I have stated in the article as well as recommending that my readers not particulate in this action at all.
You are of course free to do whatever you care, but I personally will not subject my family to a potential danger – will you?
Thank you for your comment.
Joe
rich, posted this comment on Aug 3rd, 2009
i agree with jeff….either way you still lose credibility with such contrasting statements right above/below each another.
plastic is bad i get it. if ziplock said it was okay and it wasn’t there would be lawsuits. they can’t advocate the use in boiling water no matter what.
thanks for the article though. i guess i’m giving up on boiled omlette bags.
Sherry, posted this comment on Sep 10th, 2009
You might want to fix the link to Ziplock website in your article. It’s not going to Ziplock……
Joseph Parish, posted this comment on Sep 10th, 2009
Sherry, the original article was written several years ago and unfortunately I had nothing to do with placing the ziploc link on the page. That was accomplished by Triod.
Paul Abler, posted this comment on Oct 6th, 2009
Well I don’t know what happened to my formatting there but hopefully it makes sense. The ZipLoc statement is in the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs.
The bottom line:
-Regular Ziploc bags are not designed to be boiled in because they can melt.
-Freezer bags hold up very well to boiling
-ZipLoc itself sells “Zip and Steam” bags which do NOT contain different plastic, just MORE plastic (double-laminated and vented),
-Microwave and steam cooking is MUCH hotter than boiling water
-ZipLoc warrants their products to be dioxin free and, additionally, dioxins are only produced at 1,500 degrees Farenheit.
So there you have it. Oh, by the way, Teflon releases carcinogens, and aluminum cookware causes Alzheimers….
Paul, posted this comment on Jan 1st, 2010
Since the egg and cheese contained in an omelet includes fat of their own the mixture tends to get even hotter then the boiling water.
How? magic? unless there is an exothermic reaction going on with the fats, the mixture (submerged in boiling water at atmospheric pressure) will be at most 212 deg. F
Such statements put the credibility of the entire article in question.
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Rookie Expert, posted this comment on Oct 20th, 2008
Very detailed and informative article.I never use ziplocks other than for storage. Even reheating in plastic containers is not such a good idea. Even if you have food stored in plastic containers, one must remove them into a glass or china bowl/plate for reheating.Most people are still unaware of the hazards caused due to the plastic decomposing into the food. This article needs wider audience. Please digg, stumble, buzz up people, spread the word.