We completely get that at FitEx Meals, our customers want their meal prep to be quick, tasty and healthy. There is a rumour going around that says that black plastic containers would not be safe when heated up. Let’s get things straight since our food arrives in these black containers. The material we use is polypropylene, which is safe for reheating food.
The Black Plastic Controversy: Where Did It Come From?
That looks like where the concern is: there is some black plastic cutlery or takeout dishes that are made out of recycled electronic waste (e-waste) plastics, which may contain questionable chemicals such as phthalates or flame retardants. They may find their way into your food after they are microwaved. That sounds pretty bad, but this is not the whole story, and it surely does not apply to every black container. It does not matter what color it is, but the actual type of plastic involved and the way it is made really matter. It is the reason why we are using polypropylene. It is reliable, safe to heat, and is food-friendly.
Not All Plastics Are Created Equal
Plastic containers all have those little numbers in the recycling triangle on the bottom – that’s the resin identification code, and it matters more than you’d think. If you’re tossing your lunch in the microwave, not every plastic is up for the job. Here’s what you can actually see on the containers and how to read it:
- #1 PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). Many of our competitors use PET for their meal prep containers – it’s cheap and doesn’t weigh much, which is why plenty of brands use it. It’s fine for keeping food cold, but as soon as it heats up, PET can start breaking down and leaching chemicals into your food. Definitely not great for reheating.
- #3 PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). You’ll spot this in some wraps and cheap plastic containers. Heating it is just a bad idea. PVC can let bad stuff like phthalates seep out, so it’s better off avoided if you need to reheat.
- #6 Polystyrene (PS). Those foamy takeout boxes and cups? That’s polystyrene. The problem is, it can’t handle much heat and might even release styrene, which has a bad reputation for possibly causing cancer. Not something you want to microwave.
- #5 Polypropylene (PP). This is what we use at FitEx Meals. Polypropylene handles heat well, doesn’t have BPA or phthalates, and is generally a safer option for reheating food.
| Code & Plastic Type | Common Use | Heat Safety | Risks When Heated | Verdict |
| #1 PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) | Water bottles, some meal prep containers | Poor | Can leach chemicals when hot | Avoid for reheating |
| #3 PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) | Wraps, cheap containers | Very poor | Releases phthalates and toxins | Unsafe |
| #6 Polystyrene (PS) | Foam cups, takeout boxes | Poor | May release styrene, linked to cancer | Unsafe |
| #5 Polypropylene (PP) | FitEx Meals containers, yogurt cups | Excellent | Stable, no BPA or phthalates | Safe for reheating |
Why Polypropylene Is the Best Choice for Reheating
At FitEx Meals, we picked polypropylene for our containers because it actually does what we need – it’s safe, tough, and handles heat way better than the PET plastic you’ll find with other brands.
Handles the Heat
Polypropylene doesn’t melt down until about 320°F (160°C), so you can toss it in the microwave without worrying. PET, which a lot of competitors stick with, just isn’t made for those temps and can start to break down or release chemicals – not something you want with your lunch.
Chemically Steady
There’s no BPA or phthalates in our containers, and no hormone-disrupting chemicals hiding out either. Even when heated, polypropylene hardly releases any microplastics or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – all far below even the strictest safety standards.
Built to Last
These containers aren’t a one-and-done deal. They’re tough, don’t crack or warp easily, so you won’t see them shedding chemicals the way thin PET containers sometimes do after a few uses.
Safe for Microwaves
Just check for the microwave-safe symbol (wavy lines) – that’s how you know our containers were made to go in the microwave and have been tested for it.
In short, polypropylene wins for anyone who cares about easy, safe meal prep and reheating. And the black color? The carbon black pigment is added for aesthetics, and it is totally safe in food-grade polypropylene. It has nothing to do with how the container performs.
Compostable Containers: A Surprising Downside
Compostable meal containers made from PLA or other plant-based materials sound good for the planet and work fine for cold foods, but they’re not cut out for reheating. Here’s what happens:
- Low heat tolerance. These compostable plastics (like PLA) get soft or even melt at pretty low temps – sometimes as low as 120°F (50°C). That rules out microwaving. If you try, they can warp or let breakdown bits end up in your food.
- Limited durability. Compostable containers are meant to break down after one use, not survive another round in the microwave or a long stretch in your fridge.
- Potential contaminants. Some research says bioplastics might release small plastic particles or other stuff when heated, which kind of ruins the whole “healthy container” concept.
If you’re ordering from a meal prep company like FitEx Meals, convenient reheating and safety actually matter. Polypropylene wins here – compostables just can’t keep up.
The FitEx Meals Promise
We know health rumors can throw people off. But our black polypropylene containers are made to keep your food safe, tasty, and easy to heat up – way better than the PET containers a lot of other companies use. The social chatter on black plastic is not on food-grade polypropylene, as we use. Heat your FitEx Meals in a microwave without concern – your health comes first to us.
Want more questions answered about our containers, or want meal prep tips? Leave a comment or contact our team. At FitEx Meals, we know how to make sure you eat well and achieve those fitness goals in a safe manner, one delicious meal at a time.
