Tell me more ×
Seasoned Advice is a question and answer site for professional and amateur chefs. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 3 down vote favorite

I accidentally used plastic wrap instead of foil wrap over the salmon in the toaster oven. There was a flame. When i checked the salmon, the cling wrap was gone. Did it melt into thge salmon? Is the salmon safe to eat?

share|improve this question
1  
Generally, plastic isn't good to eat and there is almost certainly some on your salmon. If it was a life and death survival situation, I'd eat the part that wasn't touching the plastic. But if you have a toaster oven, it's probably not a life and death situation... Chuck it... – Coomie Feb 28 at 1:45
Plastic wrap is actually acceptable as field wrapping for burns and wounds. It is sterile as it comes from the manufacturing process, and non-toxic for contact. So having had it in contact with food when it has not burned, is not a problem. acep.org/content.aspx?id=40462 – SAJ14SAJ Mar 1 at 17:56

1 Answer

up vote 16 down vote

There are multiple types of film wrap, which are different plastics. No matter what yours was made from, it almost certainly partially burned up, partially melted, and partially had other heat-based reactions leaving unknown remains on your food, possibly including dioxins, which are quite toxic.

In any of these cases, I would not risk finding out.

Discard the fish.

share|improve this answer
1  
This answer is right, but just curious why does this get 15 up votes, without anyone leaving one comment? It is kind of a low-knowledgeable question with a relatively obvious answer. I feel fishy reading some really nice answers these days not being recognized as much as something like this getting inexplicable number of up votes. – KMC Feb 28 at 4:18
@kmc I have long since stopped wondering these things. The pattern of votes and comments is almost impossible to predict, it seems, and is not related in any way I can understand to the amount of research or depth a particular answer required! :-) – SAJ14SAJ Feb 28 at 4:26
well I guess you're right. I might think it's common sense not the eat the plastic wrap but people may think otherwise.. – KMC Feb 28 at 4:36

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.