Bisphenol A- BPA is a chemical that allows plastic to harden. Where can you find BPA? What are the health risks of BPA? The chemical is ubiquitous in plastic products, including baby bottles and sippy cups, as well as metal linings of cans, including those containing infant formula. BPA can leach from plastics and plastic linings into the product that it holds, especially with acidic foods like tomatoes. It has come under close scrutiny in the past year or two with studies linking it to a host of health and developmental problems. An astonishing 93% of Americans have BPA in their systems. Consumer reports studied canned foods and found that all food tested was contaminated with BPA. Animal studies have shown it can cause diabetes, cardiovascular risk, prostate and breast cancer, obesity and infertility. Things we can do to avoid BPA is by looking at what our food is packaged in, if it contains a # 7PC it means it contains BPA, not all plastics will be labelled but assume they contain BPA. Switch to products not packaged in plastic, opt for fresh when possible or frozen. Today I purchased dry beans instead of canned, no BPA! Take a closer look at the plastic containers that you store your food in, opt for glass storage instead. I’ve said this before but NEVER microwave in plastic. Don’t leave water bottles in your car when its hot outside, the heat causes the toxins to leach into the water, better yet use a glass or stainless steel bottle like Klean Kanteen (they even have sippy cups!). We don’t need to be exposed to BPA and we shouldn't have to eat it. Consumer reports is fighting to get the FDA to change the lining in cans until then try to avoid canned foods and plastic packaging that will contaminate our precious food.
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