Parchment paper, also known as baking paper, is a staple in kitchens worldwide due to its heat resistance and non-stick properties. The global parchment paper industry is valued at over $960 million, indicating its immense popularity. But have you ever stopped to wonder about its safety? This article explores the potential hazards of using parchment paper in your kitchen and offers healthier, more eco-friendly alternatives for cooking and baking.
Parchment Paper: What’s Inside?
Parchment paper is created through the parchmentization process, which enhances its durability and resistance to oil and heat. Commercially, it is often coated with silicone to further improve these qualities.
Why the Caution Around Parchment Paper?
Despite its convenience, using parchment paper raises several health concerns that are worth considering.
The Bleaching Dilemma
The first concern lies in the bleaching process that’s part of parchment paper production. The bleached paper may contain dioxin, a toxic chemical that is released when heated.
Dioxin Exposure: Studies have linked dioxin to reproductive and developmental disorders. Once ingested, it can accumulate in fatty tissues and remain there for 7 to 11 years.
The Silicone Coating Concern
Another issue involves the silicone coating on parchment paper. Silicone cookware is made from silicon, carbon, and oxygen, forming a rubber-like material.
Silicone and Health: Although silicone cookware resists heat better than plastic, the synthetic rubber used should ideally not come into contact with food. When heated with oils, silicone bakeware can release chemicals, raising health concerns.
FDA’s Stance on Silicone: In 1979, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deemed silicon dioxides, crucial in silicone cookware, safe for food use. However, no subsequent studies have investigated whether silicone can leach into food.
Siloxanes Concern: Research has detected siloxanes leaching from silicone baby bottle nipples and bakeware, with potential carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting effects. One study linked silicone gel to lethal cancer in rats, sparking debates about silicone’s safety in any form.
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