Cling Film & Kitchen Foil Might Be Ruining Your Hormones

Once upon a time, I wrapped everything in cling film. Leftovers? Wrapped. Sandwich for my husband? Wrapped. Half an avocado? Wrapped again. Same with foil — covering food, lining the oven tray, baking potatoes. And don’t even get me started on ziplock bags. I used to fly through them – snacks, freezer meals, snacks again.

It felt like the easiest, cleanest way to keep things fresh and avoid waste. But as I started digging deeper into the materials we use daily — not just what we eat, but how we store and cook our food — cling film, foil, and ziplocks landed squarely on my radar.

Here’s why I stopped using them. And what I use now instead.

What’s Wrong with Cling Film and Foil?

1. Cling Film (Plastic Wrap)

Most cling film is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or LDPE (low-density polyethylene). These plastics may seem harmless, but when exposed to heat (microwaving leftovers, covering hot food) or oily foods, they can leach chemicals into your food — especially phthalates and BPA-like additives.

Phthalates = known endocrine disruptors. They mess with hormones, particularly oestrogen, and are linked to:

• Infertility

• Early puberty in children

• Obesity

• Insulin resistance

• Developmental issues

  
  

Research: Phthalates and Endocrine Disruption

Even many so-called “BPA-free” plastics often contain BPS or other substitutes, which studies now show may be just as bad or worse.

2. Aluminium Foil

This one surprised me too. Aluminium is a naturally occurring metal, but that doesn’t mean it belongs in our food. And when you use foil to cook (especially with acidic foods like lemon, tomatoes, or vinegar), aluminium can leach directly into your food.

Excess aluminium exposure is being studied for its possible links to:

• Neurotoxicity and Alzheimer’s disease

• Bone disorders

• Kidney issues

  
  

Research: Aluminium exposure & health effects

Also – ever notice how foil disintegrates or darkens after baking certain foods? That’s not a good sign. 😬

 3. Ziplock Bags (and Freezer Bags)

Most ziplocks are made of LDPE plastic – the same as cling film – and aren’t designed to withstand heat, oils, or reuse. Yet we often throw hot leftovers into them, microwave food inside them, or store snacks with oily coatings.

What’s the risk?

• Chemical leaching (especially with greasy or acidic foods)

• BPA or BPA substitutes

• Microplastics over time (especially if reusing old bags)

Even “BPA-free” ziplocks can contain BPS or BPF, which may be just as harmful.

What I Use Instead (That Actually Works)

This was one of the easiest swaps in our home — and honestly? Everything looks cuter and fresher now.

1. Glass Containers with Lids

• Airtight, long-lasting, and totally plastic-free

• Safe for freezer, oven, and dishwasher

• No leaching, no weird smells, no warping over time

Check out: Meal Prep Glass Food Storage Containers 10 Pack

2. Beeswax Wraps

• Reusable, natural alternative to cling film

• Made from cotton, beeswax, and tree resin

• Great for wrapping sandwiches, cheese, cut fruit, and covering bowls

Check out: SUPERBEE Beeswax Wrap Roll

3. Reusable Silicone Zip Bags

• A perfect swap for disposable ziplocks

• Food-grade silicone, BPA-free, safe for freezer and dishwasher

• Great for freezing leftovers, or packing snacks

Check out: 20 Pack BPA FREE Reusable Freezer Bags

4. Unbleached Baking Paper

• If you’re using foil to line oven trays, try unbleached parchment paper instead (avoid ones coated with silicone or PFAS)

• Compostable and much safer for high-heat cooking

Check out: Unbleached Parchment Paper 200 PCS

Want to see the exact products I use to organise my low-tox kitchen? Browse my Amazon Low-Tox Kitchen Organisation List here 

Mum Tip: Don’t Stress About Perfection

I didn’t switch overnight. I ran out of cling film and just… didn’t buy more. I started covering leftovers with plates instead of plastic. Then added beeswax wraps to my husband's lunches. Little by little, the plastic disappeared from our kitchen. Now, I save money, reduce waste, and feel a lot better about what’s touching my family’s food.

We talk so much about what to eat — but how we store and heat food matters just as much. Swapping out cling film and foil might seem small, but it’s one of the easiest ways to reduce daily exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals — and it honestly makes your kitchen feel more intentional and beautiful, too.

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