From the cup that holds your morning coffee to the container packed for lunch, some of the most-used items in our homes are also the ones that touch our food and drink.
At Lorikeet Living, we think those materials deserve a little extra consideration. Not because every plastic product is harmful, or because a home needs to be completely plastic-free, but because making thoughtful choices about everyday contact surfaces is a practical place to begin.
Understanding endocrine-disrupting chemicals
In its article Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Should we be avoiding plastic?, Hormones Australia explains that some chemicals can interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system—our body's hormone system. These are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs.
The article identifies potential sources including some plastics, food storage materials, pesticides and personal care products. It discusses research linking exposure to certain EDCs with reproductive and metabolic health concerns. These findings should not be read as proof that using a particular container will cause illness.
This is also a different topic from microplastics: the article focuses on chemicals and hormone disruption, not an assessment of the health effects of tiny plastic particles.
Why we take a precautionary approach
For us, a precautionary approach means making considered choices while acknowledging that the evidence is still developing.
We don't need to promise a completely risk-free kitchen to see value in reducing direct contact between plastic and food or drink where practical. It's a preference that guides what we look for, the questions we ask suppliers and the information we share with you.
Our focus is on the parts that actually touch what you eat and drink—not just how a product looks on the outside. A stainless steel exterior, for example, isn't enough to tell us what is inside a lid or beneath a coating. We want to understand the whole product, including any seals, linings and drinking surfaces.
That doesn't mean every non-plastic alternative is automatically safer. Materials need to suit their intended use, and care instructions still matter.
A simple place to start
Among its practical suggestions, Hormones Australia recommends choosing glass instead of plastic for food storage and reheating, and thoroughly washing fruit and vegetables before eating them.
If you'd like to make changes at home, start with one routine rather than a whole kitchen overhaul:
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Look at what you use every day. Your lunch container or favourite drinking cup may be a manageable starting point.
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Check the contact surfaces. Look beyond the main material to lids, linings and the surface you drink from.
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Choose for the task. For reheating, use glassware specifically rated for the appliance and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Not all glass is suitable for heat.
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Work within your budget. You don't need to replace everything at once. Make considered choices as needs arise.
Thoughtful choices, without the pressure
Lorikeet Living is about making it easier to ask what our everyday essentials are made from—and choose differently when it makes sense for our families.
We share information like this as a starting point for learning, not a reason to feel worried about every item already in your cupboard. Our role is to offer thoughtfully selected options and be clear about why we've chosen them, without promising health outcomes from a purchase.
Helping create healthier homes, one thoughtful choice at a time.
Source and further reading
Simpson, J. (2022, November 4). Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Should we be avoiding plastic?. Hormones Australia. Accessed 31 August 2026.
This post draws on the linked educational article, rather than an independent review of its underlying studies. Hormones Australia has not endorsed Lorikeet Living or its products.
For general information only, not medical advice. We aim to share relevant, accurate information, but research evolves and sources may not reflect the latest evidence. We encourage you to explore reliable sources and speak with a qualified health professional about personal health concerns.