4 Common Products Containing BPA and Alternative Choices

The hormone disrupting chemical known as BPA (Bisphenol A) is still in many of the products we eat, drink and purchase regularly. The CDC estimates that 93% of Americans have this chemical in the blood. Perhaps if we knew where to find these items we would avoid them altogether. Below is a list of products you probably have on your shelf right now with BPA.

You may be surprised to find that only a few food manufacturers claim not to use BPA in their can linings. Which means one of the most commonly used items, still containing BPA, is canned food, sold by the hundred of thousands - probably more - everyday in the supermarket.

Shockingly, BPA was used to make plastic baby bottles and although parents have replaced those bottles with glass bottles, babies are still getting BPA because canned formula sold in metal cans have the BPA lining, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). BPA is leaching into all canned baby formulas. Babies are mores sensitive to the harmful effects of BPA because they cannot metabolize and excrete BPA as rapidly as adults. The EWG recommends breast feeding, powdered formula, or liquid formula not sold in metal cans.

But wait! What is the concern about BPA?

BPA is the chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic found in many food containers, can linings, baby formulas and more. BPA has hormone disrupting properties and may lead to a variety of our present day health problems. This includes obesity, prostate cancer, breast cancer, heart disease and erectile dysfunction. For children it is connected to attention deficit disorders and interferes with genital development. The FDA still allows BPA to be used in our products and has even deemed it safe. But you can reduce your use by knowing where BPA remains. Also see link below for products banned in the EU but still allowed in the US.

Products with BPA and Alternative Choices:

1 - CANNED FOODS - How often do we buy canned goods to keep on hand so we can whip up a meal. Unfortunately, those cans have plastic linings and those linings have BPA - so think about all those canned goods: tuna, beans, soup, tomato sauce etc. The alternative is to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Even boxed and frozen would be safer than canned. Certain manufacturers claim not to have BPA lined cans. One that keeps coming up in my research that I am familiar with is Eden Foods brand. If you want to keep foods on hand, super nutritious dried beans are an option that will last, taste better than the canned beans, and costs about 1/4 the price of canned. (I find they cook better if I keep in the refrigerator).

2 - CANNED SODAS AND BEER - These metal cans also have traces of BPA. For beer, you may want to rely only on bottled beer.

3 - ALUMINUM REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES - Stainless steel water bottles are a safer option. One brand called Kleen Kanteen is supposed to have BPA-free linings. (I have a great looking stainless steel flask that I use as an option. But when I work as a substitute teacher, unfortunately it wouldn't be wise to bring it to school and take a quick sip (or nip). But the water tastes so good.)

4 - POLYCARBONATE STORAGE CONTAINERS - Make sure your container does not have the number 7 which means it may contain BPA. Opt for glass storage containers. Those old familiar glass containers - Pyrex - have plastic lids which are free of BPA. Also opt for ceramic containers.

See the links below for more green living suggestions: