quote:Originally posted by Tedbear quote:Originally posted by Michael Hoffman Dear Michael,
Thank you for your e-mail. We always appreciate hearing from our consumers.
Regarding your inquiry, ZIPLOC® brand Bags cannot be used to boil food. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a "boilable" bag.
We do not recommend using any ZIPLOC® brand Bag in boiling water, or to "boil" in the microwave. ZIPLOC® brand Bags are made from polyethylene plastic with a softening point of approximately 195 degrees Fahrenheit. By pouring near boiling water (water begins to boil at 212 degrees) into the bag, or putting the bag into the water, the plastic could begin to melt.
Thanks again for your e-mail so we could give you the information you requested. If you have future comments or product information needs, we invite you to visit or e-mail us again at
www.scjbrands.com. Regards,
Kcrista
Consumer Relationship Center
SC Johnson, A Family Company
Toll Free Number: 1-800-558-5252
Obviously, the company's sole concern with regard to boiling Ziploc bags has to do with the possibility of the bags melting.
...and leaching carcinogenic chemicals into your food, in the process. Of course, we can't expect S.C. Johnson to admit that this is the end result of polyethylene melting into one's food, but at least their statement should help to prevent people from using this foolhardy approach to cooking.
I would like to thank Mr. Hoffman for doing the "legwork" necessary to prove that I was correct in counseling caution on this very strange cooking method.
Obviously, you have neglected to check this out. The company has made it extraordinarily clear that your claim of carcinogens leaching into food from Ziploc bags is impossible,as no such things exist in the bags.
From the ZipLoc Website:
A recent study conducted and published by the University of Cincinnati found that the estrogen-like chemical BPA (bisphenol A) has been shown to encourage the growth of a specific category of prostate cancer cells. BPA is commonly used in the manufacture of certain plastic products, such as food-can coatings, milk-container liners, food containers, and water-supply pipes. As a result, media have been reporting on this study and the fact that this chemical is commonly found in plastic food storage containers.
SC Johnson does not use BPA in its plastic products, Ziploc® Brand bags and containers, and Saran™ brand wraps.
SC Johnson is a leader in providing high-quality products. All of its products are extensively evaluated for toxicity and safety and comply with—and often even exceed—applicable quality and safety regulations.
In 2002, we became aware of an email that was being widely circulated, which warned consumers about the alleged dangers of using plastics in the microwave. This email claimed that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body, thereby increasing the risk of producing cancerous cells. We researched these claims and it is clear that the information is misleading, and unnecessarily alarms consumers.
Saran™ and Ziploc® products are 100% dioxin free. You also should be aware that dioxins can be formed only when chlorine is combined with extremely high temperatures, such as 1,500°F, which even the most powerful consumer microwave ovens are unable to produce.
Our Saran™ and Ziploc® products can be used with confidence when label directions are followed. All Saran™ Wraps, Ziploc® containers and microwaveable Ziploc® bags meet the safety requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for temperatures associated with defrosting and reheating food in microwave ovens, as well as room, refrigerator, and freezer temperatures.