Poison #2: Bisphenol-A (BPA)
Bisphenol-A or BPA is found in polycarbonate, clear plastics and are used in hard plastic containers, bottles, appliances,and the resins that line canned foods. If you open a canned food item, and you look inside of the can, you sometimes see a shiny white coating – this is Bisphenol-A. Almost everyone has some level of BPA in their blood stream. Bisphenol-A leads to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and fertility issues in animals. They are trying to get the FDA to ban BPA from being in contact with food. You can identify if a plastic container contains Bisphenol-A or BPA sometimes by looking for a recycling triangle with the number 7 inside of it and the letters “PC” (which stands for polycarbonate) next to it. If there is no label, and the product is in a clear hard plastic, then you should switch to another product for food/drink items. And of course, do not ever microwave food in plastic containers, which increases the chemical seepage into your food! Also avoid using old and scratched plastic bottles or containers as this also releases more of the toxin.Some metal water bottles are lined with a plastic coating that contains BPA. Look for stainless steel bottles that do not have a plastic liner.
Testing of canned foods found that BPA leaches from the liner into the food itself. Sensitive groups such as kids and pregnant women should limit canned food consumption. Beverages appear to contain less BPA residues, while canned pasta and soups contain the highest levels. Rinsing canned fruit or vegetables with water prior to heating and serving could lessen BPA ingestion.
Avoid BPA Bisphenol A in Canned Foods and Food Containers
Dr Oz suggested skipping canned foods and replacing them with fresh or frozen foods. Instead of juice in cans, get juice boxes. Instead of cans look for products in glass. Maybe soon the FDA will ban Bisphenol-A (like other country governments have) and we can go back to having canned foods safely… although with all of the salt and preservatives in canned foods, it is probably healthiest to eat fresh or frozen foods no matter what!
The safest plastic containers are #2, 4 & 5, while #1 and #2 are the best for recycling purposes. Bottles/containers that are made of polyethylene plastic (#1, #2, #4 recycling symbols) or polypropylene (#5) and are BPA free (this is good). If your bottle is not marked PBA Free, you should then avoid resin codes 3, 6, & 7 especially when used around food or storing food. Definitely don’t use bottles marked with 7 PC, the PC stands for polycarbonate which means it has BPA. Sadly my favorite Victoria Secret Pink water bottle that i Used to use daily was 7 PC :( But I recently purchases several wonderful new PBA free products.
If you do use polycarbonate (bad) containers, don't expose them to heat or harsh detergents. Studies have shown that scratched or worn polycarbonate leaches more BPA, so keep plastic containers away from the microwave and dishwasher and don't clean stained water bottles or other containers with bleach. If plastics in the numbers 7, 6, & 3 do not clearly say if they are BPA free, assume they have BPA and call the manufacturer to find out, or play it safe and do not use them for food.
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is also known as the “gender bending” chemical because of its connection to male impotence. It has now been shown to decrease sperm mobility and quality. A good reason for guys to be more conscious of it!
The findings are likely to increase pressure on governments around the world to follow Canada and ban the substance from our shelves.
Watch these videos to learn more-
What does not have BPA -
Saran brand plastic Wrap, Ziploc brand bags, Glad storage bags and Glad brand plastic wrap do not contain BPA, according to the companies' websites. Also Brita water pitchers can be used to filter your tap water and they do not contain BPA. The bottles of water you buy in the store do not contain BPA, but the hard, clear reusable water bottles probably do
What does have BPA-
Bisphenol A- containing polycarbonate containers are usually made of translucent, hard plastic, such as in reusable water bottles and baby bottles.
Most cans are lined with a BPA coating. This includes items such as canned soda, canned tomatoes, canned soup, canned beans, canned chili and canned vegetables.
Your best choice is to use glass, porcelain and stainless-steel containers, particularly for hot foods and liquids.
If you choose to use plastic here are some items I have found that are PBA-free:
· NALGENE Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle - $6.49 - $17.91- Very cute selection for water bottles. I have a 16oz and 32oz bottle that I fill up to make sure I meet my daily water recommendation.
· NALGENE Tritan OTG BPA-Free Water Bottle 24 Oz - $7.95 – I actually received this item free when purchasing a set of Brita filters from SAMs Club. It’s a great bottle to carry around through the day.
· Rubbermaid 7J93 Produce Saver Square Food Storage Containers Set of 8- $17 - They are made of Polypropylene so they are BPA free.
· Contigo 32-Ounce BPA Free Water Bottle with Autoseal Lid and Carabiner Clip- $13.49 - Made of durable, BPA-free Tritan plastic--wont stain or retain odors
· BPA Free Snapware 38 Piece Airtight Plastic Storage Container Set – $39.80 - Snapware is airtight and leakproof, made from polypropylene, made in the USA, and has a lifetime warranty.
· Rubbermaid Premier Stain Resistant 48 Piece Set -$35.55 – They offer several number of sets…50, 48, 40, 36, 24 and 18.
· Kinetic Go Green Premium Nano Silver 7 Piece Food Storage Container Set - $21.47 - Micro-particles of antimicrobial silver are infused into the polyproylene to protect the containers against mold, fungus and other microorganisms. Pateneted silicone gasket locking system and impermeable polypropylene containers keep out oxidizing. It says microwave safe, but the safest bet is to not microwave any plastic items.
· Snapware Glasslock Glass Storage Containers with Lids 18pc Set Nesting Design – 24.99 – An even better option to plastic would be to use glass containers. Durable silicone seal provides airtight and leakproof storage. It is ideal for serving and storing, and safe for microwave cooking. Set Includes 9 matching lids that are BPA Free.
· Cuisinart CPB-300 SmartPower 15-Piece Compact Portable Blending/Chopping System--$59.89- Powerful 350-watt motor with a sleek electronic touchpad and LED indicator lights, ABS housing with stainless steel front panel, Standby mode; safety interlock and auto-stop features, High, low and pulse controls with a patented ultra sharp stainless steel blade, BPA-free tritan 32oz blender cup, 8-ounce chopper cup and a set of four 16-ounce "To-Go" cups. I purchased this one and love it! The 8oz chopper was perfect to grind my flax seeds, and it was powerful enough to blend my smoothie without having to stir it contently like my last blender (which cost me$15 that I loved but wasn’t BPA free).
· Oster My Blender - $29 - Powerful 250-Watt Ice-Crushing Blender, 20-oz. BPA-Free Sport Bottle, fast & Easy One-Touch Blending Action, Re-Usable and Dishwasher-Safe. A cheaper alternative to blend drinks and go.
Some brands who’s canned foods don’t contain BPA-
- Eden Organics – their beans. Note: Eden’s canned tomatoes do contain BPA.
- Henry & Lisa’s Natural Seafood – great place to assure healthy option fish too
- Vital Choice – in 2008 they were one of only 3 U.S. companies to confirm that their food-can linings are free of bisphenol A (BPA)
How to Live BPA Free? Do the following to prevent contaminants from entering your food:
- Check the resin or recycle code that is usually found on the bottom of the container. Ensure it is one of the numbers listed above. If no number is found, consider using the container for non-food items or getting rid of it. These plastics could pose hazardous food contamination over time. Purchase a new set of BPA containers/cups/dishes/food appliances. More companies are coming out with BPA free products so you have plenty of choices.
- Consider buying more glass dishware for storing and reheating food, especially in the microwave.
- Cash receipts can be toxic. Studies show that 40 percent of receipts from ATMs, supermarkets, gas stations, and cash registers carry significant traces of BPA, a chemical found in plastic that has been linked to heart disease, cancer, behavioral problems, and reproductive problems. So, handle receipts as little as possible.
Read more about BPA in products here- http://www.npr.org/2011/03/02/134196209/study-most-plastics-leach-hormone-like-chemicals
3 Simple Ways to Tell if Plastic Drinkware, Dishes and Reusable Bottles are BPA-Free
Tip 1: In Plastic Tableware, if it's not Polycarbonate, it's BPA-Free.
To remember the material that has BPA (Polycarbonate) as opposed to polypropylene which is BPA-Free remember the word carbonate (as in carbonated sodas are bad for you) or C = contaminated. That’s how I remember the differentiation.
To remember the material that has BPA (Polycarbonate) as opposed to polypropylene which is BPA-Free remember the word carbonate (as in carbonated sodas are bad for you) or C = contaminated. That’s how I remember the differentiation.
Among the many different plastics used to make glasses, cups and dishes, polycarbonate is the only ONE contains BPA. Polycarbonate is FDA-approved for food use and is usually found in better quality, unbreakable, dishwasher-safe plastic tableware. It's often clear or tinted, feels rigid, and appears glass-like.
But it's not the only type of plastic used in plastic tableware. Acrylic, an acrylic blend called SAN, Tritan co-polyester and even corn-based bioplastics are all used to make clear, glass-like items similar to polycarbonate. Plus, opaque plastics like melamine and polypropylene are used to make a variety of dinnerware. Unlike polycarbonate, these other plastics are, and always have been, BPA-free. So, if the BPA question worries you, look for items made of these other plastics instead of polycarbonate.
But it's not the only type of plastic used in plastic tableware. Acrylic, an acrylic blend called SAN, Tritan co-polyester and even corn-based bioplastics are all used to make clear, glass-like items similar to polycarbonate. Plus, opaque plastics like melamine and polypropylene are used to make a variety of dinnerware. Unlike polycarbonate, these other plastics are, and always have been, BPA-free. So, if the BPA question worries you, look for items made of these other plastics instead of polycarbonate.
Tip 2: How to tell if an Item is Made of Polycarbonate... or BPA-Free Plastic
Trying to identify plastic items by the label can be discouraging since product labels rarely list plastic type. Your best bet is to shop with sellers who clearly list the type of plastic used in products. Online sellers generally offer more product details like plastic type than brick-and-mortar stores. Some, like KidSmartLiving.com, go the extra mile by conveniently listing their BPA-Free tableware products on one page.
If shopping in a store where product information is scarce, first look for items labeled "BPA-Free." With media attention on BPA, manufacturers are starting to label their non-polycarbonate plastic items "BPA-Free." This includes acrylic, SAN, or Tritan for clear items, and rigid melamine or rubbery polypropylene for solid or semi-opaque items.
If not labeled BPA-Free, look at the care instructions. In clear and tinted plastics, acrylic items are generally marked "Hand-wash," or "Top-rack Dishwasher-safe," while most SAN items are marked "Dishwasher-safe" and sometimes "Microwave-safe." But these plastics aren't usually labeled "Unbreakable." Unlike polycarbonate, acrylic and SAN can break.
In solid-color plastic items, you'll rarely find polycarbonate on store shelves. Solid-color plastic dishes are more commonly made from melamine and marked "Not for Microwave Use." Polypropylene is also used for solid and semi-opaque dishes, and is easily identified by its rubbery feel.
The only clear tableware plastics you'll find labeled "Unbreakable, Dishwasher-safe" and sometimes "Microwave-safe" are Tritan and polycarbonate. Luckily for shoppers, being BPA-Free is a major selling point for Tritan, so these items are usually labeled as such. If a clear or tinted glass-like plastic product is labeled "Unbreakable, Dishwasher-safe" but is not marked "BPA-Free," it's probably polycarbonate.
Tip 3: Don't Count on the Numbers... They Don't Count for Identifying These Plastics. Contrary to some reports, the recycling numbers printed on plastic items don't differentiate polycarbonate from these BPA-free plastics. In fact, it's the reverse. Almost all non-disposable plastic tableware falls under the same catchall #7 recycling code, which simply means "Other" So look for the PC next to it. But if it's not marked "BPA free" assume it may have it.
The "Other" plastics are generally durable and have a longer useful life than disposable plastics, so they're not collected in residential recycling programs. These widely different #7 plastics include acrylic, SAN, Tritan, bio-plastics, melamine - and polycarbonate. So to know for Sure call the manufacturer if it doesn’t have a PC next to it. You can find #7 plastics that will clearly label that they are BPA free.
Even more confusing, recycling codes aren't required for "Other" plastics so many items don't carry a recycling mark at all. Knowing how to tell these plastics apart -- or shopping with a reliable seller -- is really much more helpful than recycling numbers when it comes to buying BPA-free plastic dinnerware, bust still useful when trying to identify items you already have
PVC-free cling wrap. Plastic wraps made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, contain a plasticizer chemical that can leach into foods. Many manufacturers of cling-wrap for home use have switched from PVC to safer low-density polyethylene (LDPE). However, PVC cling wrap is still used on some prepackaged foods. To be safe, if you buy food wrapped in cling wrap, when you get home transfer it to a glass or ceramic container, aluminum foil, wax paper, or LDPE cling wrap.
