Breast Cancer UK urges switch from plastic cooking utensils over food-contact chemical concerns

Breast Cancer UK has urged consumers to stop cooking with plastic utensils this Plastic Free July, warning that everyday spatulas, spoons and whisks may expose people to potentially harmful chemicals during food preparation.

The charity is calling on households across Britain to switch to wooden utensils and sign a pledge demanding tougher UK regulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in everyday products.

At the centre of the campaign is a food safety concern for domestic and professional kitchens: whether heat, wear and damage can allow chemicals or microplastics to migrate from food-contact materials into meals.

Breast Cancer UK said plastic cooking utensils are a particular concern because they can crack, warp, chip or melt when used with hot food. Damaged edges may also scratch non-stick coatings, potentially releasing further chemicals into food.