BPA – What it is and why you should be afraid of it

What is BPA ? It’s full name is bisphenol-a. This chemical, a synthetic estrogen used to harden polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin, is the focus of a growing number of research studies and legislative actions. There is significant evidence that it causes serious and sometimes irreversible damage to health, even at the low doses to which the FDA considers “allowable” for daily exposure.

An estimated 6 billion pounds of BPA are produced annually around the world, generating about $6 billion in sales. It is made into thousands of products and is especially prevalent in food and beverage packaging. BPA-based plastics break down readily, particularly when heated or washed with strong detergent.

In laboratory tests, trace BPA exposure has been shown to disrupt the endocrine system and trigger a wide variety of disorders, including chromosomal and reproductive system abnormalities, impaired brain and neurological functions, cancer, cardiovascular system damage, adult-onset diabetes, early puberty, obesity and resistance to chemotherapy. As an estrogen-like substance, it has been linked to estrogen-related cancers.

In March 2007, the Environmental Working Group published a shocking study showing that BPA leached from epoxy can linings into more than half the canned foods, beverages and canned liquid infant formula it randomly purchased at supermarkets around the country. The EWG study, the first of its kind, helped explain why the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had found detectable levels of BPA in the urine of 93 percent of Americans over the age of six. A landmark assessment from the National Toxicology Program, issued in September 2008, asserted that BPA at currently allowed levels may be toxic to fetuses, infants and children. In response, Attorneys General from Connecticut, New Jersey and Delaware asked manufacturers of infant formula and baby bottles to voluntary stop using BPA in their products. The Canadian government has banned BPA in baby bottles and called for voluntary reductions of the chemical in cans of infant formula and other foods. The California State Assembly narrowly rejected a proposal to ban BPA statewide. Wal-Mart, Toys”R”Us and other large retailers have said they would discontinue sales of BPA-based plastic baby bottles, sippy cups and other food containers.

Even so, the federal Food and Drug Administration took the position that BPA in food packaging, baby bottles and drink bottles posed no risks, even to infants and children. This stance triggered a stinging rebuke from the agency’s outside Science Board, which on Oct. 31, 2008, castigated FDA officials for relying on chemical industry research and disregarding scores of independent scientists who had raised disturbing questions about the chemical.

While we wait for laws that prohibit the use of BPA in consumer products, here are some steps each of us can take to prevent BPA exposure and protect ourselves and our families:

1) Stay away from canned foods as much as possible especially canned sodas, canned baby formula, and acidic canned foods like tomato, pineapple and citrus products, which almost always use can linings containing BPA. According to the EWG, BPA leaching from canned foods and baby formulas appears to happen at higher levels than is the case with polycarbonate plastic food containers and baby bottles. Rinsing canned fruit or vegetables with water prior to eating may reduce your exposure.

2) Don’t buy or consume foods and beverages sold or served in polycarbonate plastics (#7) either. Plastic types #1, #2, and #4 are made without BPA and are safer choices. Don’t drink out of hard polycarbonate plastic water bottles unless they are marked “BPA free.” Stainless steel bottles are safer but only if they don’t have a plastic lining.

3) Never heat or microwave food in plastic of any kind. Many microwavable meals come in containers that contain BPA. Don’t reheat foods in plastic bowls or other containers

4) Read the EWG’s Guide to Baby-Safe Bottles and Infant Formula and protect your kids.

5) Drink filtered tap water instead of bottled water. Add your own flavoring. Flavrz Drink Mix is never sold in plastic containers made with BPA and it never will be. Flavrz sells no BPA containing products on its website.

6) Support Congressional efforts to regulate BPA. Write or call your U.S. Representative and ask them to support H.R. 1523, the Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2009, which would prevent the use of BPA in the food and drink containers and cans. Tell your U.S. Senatorial delegation that you support the corresponding Senate bill, S. 593, too.

Let’s get this toxic substance out of our food chain once an for all for the sake of our bodies, for our children and for future generations.

Karen Barth
CEO - Flavrz Drink Mix.