Plastic baby bottles, plastic water bottles and plastic microwave containers…should you use them or not? What do you think? BPA is a hot button of controversy. Because consumer awareness of this potential health issue is growing, many manufacturers are producing BPA-free products.
If you want to reduce your exposure to BPA while the research and controversy continues, you can try these tips:
- Use plastics marked BPA-free or opt for stainless steel, glass or porcelain. Remember, you can always email or call the manufacturer if in doubt.
- To prevent BPA from seeping into food and liquids, wash plastics by hand instead of in the dishwasher even if the container says dishwasher safe.
- Also, forget about using plastics in the microwave and go with glass or porcelain that’s made especially for a microwave.
- This also includes plastic wrap for a cover…use glass, paper towel or wax paper as better alternatives.
- Try to avoid those white clamshell take-out containers. Both plastic wrap and these containers may contain other plastics that could be problematic too.
- Try to stay away from #7 on the bottom of containers in terms of recycling unless the items say BPA free.
- Choose glass or BPA free infant formula bottles.
- Select fresh or frozen foods over canned unless you find a manufacturer that uses an alternative. Also look for shelf stable cartons, pouches, bags and cups as alternatives to cans.
The chemical bisphenol-A or BPA is found in many reusable water bottles, some baby bottles, and clear plastic storage containers. Just to give you an idea, the lining of most canned food, pizza boxes, water pipes, eyeglasses, cell phones, shower curtains, DVDs, bicycle helmets, airplanes and even some dental sealants contain BPA.
BPA is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics which mimics or acts like the hormone estrogen and is referred to as an endocrine disrupting chemical. BPA can leach into food and drinks from cans, containers and bottles. A study published in Toxicology Letters (2008) found that hot liquids and food put into plastics containing BPA actually leached more of the chemical from the container into the food or liquid…up to 50 times more.
According to the American Chemistry Council, eleven regulatory bodies around the world have assessed the science on BPA and have determined that BPA is safe for use in food contact materials. However, use of BPA is definitely a controversial one. Animal studies have found that BPA is potentially linked to abnormal development of reproductive systems and precancerous lesions.
A report in the December 2009 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine found BPA in most all of 19 name-brand foods from canned soups and juice to tuna and green beans. BPA was even found in cans labeled “BPA-free”. The Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, has taken the position that manufacturer and government agencies should act to eliminate the use of BPA in all materials that come into contact with food.
These results stoke the fire as to how much BPA is safe to ingest and should BPA come into contact with food. According to medpagetoday.com, at the end of 2009 the FDA reversed its position and will budget $30 million for short and long term studies on the health risks associated with BPA particularly in infant food containers.
Posts
©2009 Practicalories,
Inc. All rights reserved.