Q:
A friend told me I shouldn’t buy milk in plastic containers. Why?
Minsue L., Chicago, IL
A:
Many milk producers have recently switched from clear, plastic bottles to light blocking cartons. This is because riboflavin, a water-soluble B-complex vitamin (B2), is largely destroyed when milk is exposed to bright lights. Riboflavin plays a crucial role in converting carbohydrates into sugar, which you burn to produce energy. Riboflavin also works as an antioxidant by scavenging damaging particles (“free radicals”) in the body.
However, most adults can meet the recommended levels for riboflavin (1.3 mg/day for men and 1.1 mg/day for women) by eating a well balanced diet. In addition to milk, riboflavin is found in soybeans, yogurt, eggs, liver, almonds, whole grains, wheat germ, wild rice, mushrooms, broccoli, brussel sprouts and spinach. Flour and cereal are often fortified with riboflavin.
As for the argument that you shouldn’t buy milk in plastic containers, well… it’s really a personal choice rather than a nutritional one.