A new class action lawsuit has been filed in California accusing S.C. Johnson, the maker of Ziploc bags, of labeling their bags as microwave and freezer safe while knowing that these bags leech large amounts of microplastics into food at extreme temperatures.
What Are the Harms of Microplastics?
So far, there is no definitive proof that microplastics cause any harm, such as dementia. However while causation isn’t proven, there is a high degree of correlation.
Some research has shown that are higher percentage of microplastics are in the brains of those with dementia. What isn’t clear is whether the microplastics are causing the dementia or if there is something about the progression of dementia that allows more plastic into the brain.
We also know that microplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier in animal models and cause oxidative stress and inflammation. Both oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain have been linked to dementia.
Do Ziploc Bags Add Microplastics to Our Food?
The answer to this question is exactly what this class action suit is trying to find out. It specifically wants to know if products that were labeled bot microwave and freezer safe leech an increased amount of microplastics into food when used in the freezer or microwave.
This is one of those suits that will probably take years if not decades to wind its way through the court system but I will be keeping an eye on it as it goes and will let you know of any developments.
