BPA which is frequently used in the production of polycarbonate plastics is typically used to harden plastics and is used with epoxy resin to line the inside of most food and beverage containers. Many producers of plastic products use the chemical because the containers do not typically absorb flavors nor do they change the flavor of the items stored within those containers. They are also able to produce lightweight and nearly indestructible pieces that have the look and feel of glass.
BPA has recently come under fire because the chemical can contaminate the very products that the plastic houses including water, baby formula or food when the chemical leaches out of the plastic often due to consumer misuse such as microwaving or cleaning the item in a dishwasher. BPA has been linked to a host of maladies including cancer, abnormal behavior, diabetes, heart disease, infertility, developmental and reproductive harm and obesity. Concerns over possible harmful side effects of the chemical are becoming more widespread.
In May, Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) along with environmental health experts presented the results of a new report demonstrating alarming levels of the chemical was present in canned foods. She introduced legislation to ban BPA in cans and other food and beverage containers as part of the Food Safety Act. The American Chemistry Council which represents a variety of sectors within the plastics industry has also presented a number of studies that refute many of the claims about BPA's harmfulness through a comprehensive website.
Glass which is durable yet more likely to break has faced its own set of challenges as McDonald's Corporation recently issued a massive recall of its 'Shrek Forever After' promotional glasses due to cadmium concerns. Coffee giant Starbucks also issued a recall of glass water bottles it sold in stores in late January due to concerns over shattering.
Initiatives to reduce plastic consumption while also protecting consumers from the dangers of glassware are developing in many surprising places. The City of Chicago passed the first municipal ban in May 2009 when it ordered that no empty food or beverage containers intended for use by children under the age of 3 containing BPA be sold in the city beginning in January of this year. The Maryland Senate approved a measure to ban bottles and cups (but not toys or teething rings) containing BPA for children under 4 in March of this year and the measure will take effect in 2012. Connecticut and Minnesota have also passed similar bans.
MOM's Organic Market, a Rockville, Maryland-based homegrown organic grocery chain launched a Battle the Bottle initiative this month which is designed to substantially reduce plastic use including the elimination of bottled water. Insprired by the movie "Addicted to Plastic", the goal of the program is to address the alarming rate at which oceans are being contaminated by plastic. The program links plastic use to oil dependence and was launched amid attention to U.S. Gulf Coast which is experiencing an unprecendented oil spill which is gusing upwards of 25,000 barrels of oil daily from a well owned by oil company BP.
MOM's will remove all bottled water from its shelves and install water filtration machines in each store allowing customers to use resuable containers for water with the first gallon free on every visit. In addition, each MOM's employee will receive a free counter-top home water filters and reusable water containers. The store will only stock potatoes, onions, oranges and salad mixes in biodegradable clamshells and will eliminate bagged versions of the produce. The chain eliminated the use of plastic grocery bags in 2005 and has an aggresive recycling program.
Stay tuned for follow-up articles listing BPA-free containers and updates on research and data. For more information please contact us at cooklikejackie@gmail.com.
