Are you using plastic containers or bottles every day to feed your baby... to microwave foods... to put your kids lunch in a plastic bag... or to save foods? My guess is you are.
Unfortunately, more and more information is coming out about the dangers of plastics in food preparation or "food saving". The danger is in the plastic.... especially hard plastics such as baby bottles... sports bottles... and microwave dishes.
The problem is "BPA" (bisphenol A)... one of the most produced chemicals in the world. BPA is found in plastic... and what happens is when you put food or drink in the plastic bottle or container, the BPA is leaks out into the food or drink. Plus, if you are microwaving the bottle or container, you are most likely increasing the amount of BPA that goes into your food or drink.
BPA has been shown to cause reproductive problems such as miscarriage and other reproductive problems. If you are pregnant, you should be especially cautious about BPA exposure.
BPA is even found in plastic teethers and toys! So make sure you give babies fabric-like toys.
Even the FDA has concerns about BPA. They released a statement on October 28, 2008 that included the following statement... "The FDA agrees that, due to the uncertainties raised in some studies relating to the potential effects of low dose exposure to bisphenol A, additional research would be valuable. The FDA is already moving forward with planned research to address the potential low dose effects of bisphenol A, and we will carefully evaluate the findings of these studies."
So is there anything you can do about it? Well, there is no way you can completely be free of BPA but you can lessen your exposure to it.
If you look on the bottom of the baby bottle (or any other plastic container that you use) ... and see a recycling number "7" (near the triangle), get rid of the bottle as it might contain BPA in it. If you don't see a number on it, call the manufacturer and ask them what number it is.
Here is a list of what are considered to be the safest baby or sports bottles to use as they have not been shown to leak toxins...
Rubbermaid ChuggablesBottles, Rubbermaid Sippin' Sport Bottles, Evenflo Colored Baby Bottles, Evenflo Baby Bottles (opaque, pastel), Gerber Baby Bottles (colors), Medela Baby Bottles.
When saving food (for leftovers) or just for putting your child's sandwich in a bag so they can eat it at school, use the following... as they are recycled and have not been shown to leak toxins into your food... Glad Food Storage Bags, Glad Freezer Bags, Glad Sandwich Bags, Hefty Baggies, Hefty OneZip Slider Bags, Saran Cling Plus, Ziploc Bags, Ziploc Double Guard Freezer Bags and BestYet Clear Plastic Wrap.
Instead of using plastic in general, try these tips: Don't eat canned food if you can help it; use wax paper or a paper towel to cover food in the microwave; use glass cups instead of plastic; and use glass or ceramic containers to save food instead of Tupperware
As a side note, canned foods are the most common source of BPA. That includes canned soups, pastas and sodas (although sodas don't contain as much as soups and pastas).
