Plastics and food

Choice help us out with a big question,  Are chemicals from plastic food containers and wrapping as safe as the industry and regulators claim or are they slowly poisoning us? See the choice report Plastics and food

On an environmental level it would be great to avoid extra packaging of any kind but when it comes to health concerns Choice have some information on two plastics of particular concern.

• Polycarbonate (often used to make food storage containers and bottles, in particular bottles marketed for use by infants and small children) and the epoxy resin used to line cans can release bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that many experts now believe can cause serious health problems.
• PVC (used to make bottles, cling wrap and the seals for screw-cap jars) contains added chemicals known as plasticisers. On its own, PVC is hard and rigid (it’s used to make drains, guttering and downpipes), so plasticisers are added to make it soft and flexible – in much the same way water added to clay makes it soft. Plasticisers can make up as much as 40% of the plastic material. Phthalates and DEHA (di-(2-ethyhexyl)adipate) are often added as plasticisers to the PVC that’s used for food packaging; again, recent research raises doubts about the safety of these compounds.

While these compounds are undoubtedly hazardous at high levels of exposure, scientific opinion is divided over the risk from the much lower levels that we’re exposed to every day in our food. There is, however, growing scientific evidence that even at these lower levels of exposure, phthalates and BPA may be causing problems such as infertility, obesity, breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

The evidence seems to grow everyday and some simple alternatives to plastics with the chemicals mentioned above are available.

Some great everyday use products that are BPA free can be found at Biome Eco Stores

• Lunch boxes – Something for children and adults
• Sandwich wrap -Great replacement for plastic wrap
• Bento boxes

BPA in canned foods

01 September 2010. Choice released a report that found alarming levels of BPA in a range of canned foods – including baby foods. See the choice report BPA in canned foods

• We tested 38 canned foods, covering major brands of baby food, baked beans, coconut milk, corn kernels, evaporated milk, ham, olive oil, pineapple, sardines, spaghetti, tomato soup, tomatoes and tuna.
• Five samples contained more than 200 parts per billion (ppb) of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical many experts now believe can cause serious health problems. A further 17 samples contained BPA at levels within the 10ppb-200ppb range.
• We found higher levels of BPA than reported in similar tests overseas.
• Of even greater concern, we found relatively high levels of BPA in some canned baby and infant foods.

Choice have also been able to provide us with information on companies making a BPA free change

In response to CHOICE’s test results, Heinz has announced it will move to BPA-free packaging for baby food products. A company spokesman said, “While we believe there is no risk to consumers, we are keen to allay any concern and so have opted to remove BPA from all baby food packaging.”

Read more about BPA free bottles.  Shop for Biome’s BPA free water bottle range