The Tupperware Lady Era: What We Didn’t Know Then (and What We’re Learning Now)

My mum was a Tupperware lady in the 70s and 80s. Back then, that wasn’t just a side hustle, it was a whole lifestyle. Women gathered, swapped recipes, stacked containers, and proudly built cupboards full of plastic that was considered safe, modern, and smart.

And my mum? She did it properly.

She looked after her health. She didn’t microwave plastic. She ate clean, simple food, meat and three veg, small portions, no junk. Water or tea. That was it.

We didn’t even have real coffee in the house, it was some cereal-based version. No normal salt either, vegetable salt.

If we were hungry?- “Go pick an orange off the tree.”

Because yes… we lived on a fruit property.

The “Healthy” Life That Should Have Been Enough

Looking back, my mum did everything right by the standards of the time:

• Didn’t smoke (Tried & quit young, when it was still considered normal)

• Barely drank (a sip for a toast every few years)

• Ate consistently, never overate

• Brushed with fluoride-free toothpaste

• Drank rainwater

• Lived simply, actively, and consciously

She was, genuinely, the healthiest person I knew.

And yet…

She had breast cancer twice. Lost both breasts. And in 2019, at just 73, she died from bowel cancer.

So What Went Wrong?

That’s the question that sits quietly in the background.

Because when someone lives like that…you don’t expect that outcome.

The Plastic Question

After watching a recent Netflix documentary on plastics, something clicked.

My mum handled plastic constantly.

Not just used it, handled it, sold it, stacked it, lived in it.

Tupperware wasn’t just storage, it was the solution.Pantry, fridge, leftovers, everything.

And here’s the thing…

Plastic back then wasn’t what it is now

Modern plastics are still under scrutiny, but older plastics often contained:

• BPA (Bisphenol A) - linked to hormone disruption

• Phthalates - associated with endocrine effects

• Other additives that could leach into food or be absorbed through skin over time

Research has found that microplastics are now present in human blood, organs, and even the gut, and there is growing interest in how this may affect long-term health, including inflammation and cancer risk.

There is also emerging research exploring links between microplastics and colorectal (bowel) health, including inflammation pathways that may contribute to disease over time. It’s not definitive yet, but it’s being studied seriously.

And Here’s the Bit That Gets Me…

If plastic today is still raising concerns…

What were we handling back then?

Because no one was questioning it.

Just like:

• Asbestos

• Smoking

• Even certain chemicals in food and farming

We don’t always know something is a problem until enough people start asking questions.

What About Everything Else?

Because let’s be real, life isn’t one variable.

• Our fruit property was sprayed with chemicals

• My dad handled most of that, and he’s still alive, nearly 86

• His first cancer scare wasn’t until 84

So what was it?

• The chemicals?

• The lack of an appendix? (Interestingly, the appendix is now thought to play a role in gut bacteria balance and immune function)

• The plastic?

• A combination of everything?

That’s the honest answer:

We don’t know.

But we’re starting to ask better questions.

The Oil Connection (Because This Matters Too)

Plastic doesn’t just appear out of nowhere.

It’s made from petrochemicals, derived from crude oil and natural gas.

That same industry:

• Fuels global economies

• Drives massive corporate wealth

• Has historically been linked to geopolitical tension and conflict over resources

So yes, plastic isn’t just a household issue. It’s part of a much bigger system.

Where That Leaves Us Now

We are surrounded by plastic.

• Food packaging

• Storage containers

• Household goods

• Everyday convenience

It feels like we can’t live without it.

But the truth is…

We once did. And we can again, even if it’s gradual.

What I’ve Changed (So Far)

After connecting the dots, I’ve made some small shifts:

• I’ve swapped some plastic containers for glass alternatives

• I picked up some from Seed & Sprout  https://seedsprout.com.au

• Glass bowls, glass lids, silicone seals, simple, clean, reusable

• I’ve started reducing plastic contact on my body too, switching to organic cotton & bamboo underwear 

And honestly? It just feels… better.

Not Fear, Just Awareness

This isn’t about blaming Tupperware. Or mums. Or the past.

It’s about understanding that:

What was “safe” then… might not be what we’d choose now

And that’s okay.

Because learning and evolving is kind of the whole point.

I’d Love to Hear Your Story

Did you grow up in a Tupperware household?

Did someone in your family do everything “right”…and still end up sick?

Do you think it’s:

• Environment

• Food

• Plastics

• A mix of everything

Because I have a feeling…

There are more stories like this out there.

And the more we share, the clearer the picture becomes. - Ang x