Is it safe to use plastic wrap for baby food storage if it may contain phthalates?
Avoid plastic wrap touching baby food, especially warm, oily, acidic, or long-stored food. Use glass storage jars or stainless steel containers instead.
Short answer
Avoid plastic wrap touching baby food, especially warm, oily, acidic, or long-stored food.
Thin flexible plastic is not the best material to press directly against food a baby will eat.
What the concern is
Plastic wrap is a food-contact material. Some flexible plastics use plasticizers and other additives. Heat, fat, and long contact can increase transfer from some food-contact plastics.
What the research says
A 2026 Food Chemistry study tested foods cooked in plastic packaging. The researchers found that several chemicals transferred from packaging to food, and some transfers increased after cooking. Low-density polyethylene packaging showed more transferred plasticizers.
A 2026 Journal of Hazardous Materials study found 114 migrating compounds from paper, plastic, and multilayer food-contact materials. Plasticizers and non-intentionally added substances were common findings.
A 2019 EFSA Journal safety review looked at a plasticizer used in soft PVC wrap films. It reported measurable migration up to 165 micrograms per kg food under tested conditions, while also noting no safety concern under the reviewed use limits.
What to do instead
Store baby food in glass or stainless steel. Let food cool before covering. If you use wrap, keep it from touching the food and do not microwave food with plastic wrap pressed on top.
The research at a glance
What to use instead
For baby food and leftovers, use glass storage jars instead of plastic wrap touching food.
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