Is It Safe To Eat Those Steam-In-Bag Microwavable Foods?

Experts weigh in on whether this convenient technology is too good to be true.

Microwaving steam-in-bag veggies, rice and other foods is a quick and convenient way to meal prep. You heat the bag for a few minutes, and the contents are ready to eat — no portioning, chopping or washing required. But how safe is it to use these? Could the plastic from the packaging seep into the foods and cause health concerns?

“There is ongoing scientific debate about the long-term effects of low-level exposure to … some plastics, especially under high heat,” said Bryan Quoc Le, food scientist and founder of Mendocino Food Consulting. “While most modern steam bags are … [free of BPA and other harmful chemicals, there are still concerns] about lesser-known additives and the cumulative impact of plastic use.”

We spoke with experts about the safety of using steam-in-bag food products — and whether there are alternative cooking methods they recommend instead.

So, how risky is it to consume steam-in-bag foods?

Steam-in-bag food products aren’t only popular because of their convenience, but they also offer a few safety benefits.