Five Finger Discounts

What is bisphenol A?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.

According to BisphenolA.org: “Metal food and beverage cans have a thin coating on the interior surface, which is essential to prevent corrosion of the can and contamination of food and beverages with dissolved metals (UK FSA, 2002). In addition, the coating helps to prevent canned foods from becoming tainted or spoiled by bacterial contamination. The major types of interior can coating are made from epoxy resins, which have achieved wide acceptance for use as protective coatings because of their exceptional combination of toughness, adhesion, formability and chemical resistance. Such coatings are essentially inert and have been used safely for over 40 years. In addition to protecting contents from spoilage, these coatings make it possible for food products to maintain their quality and taste, while extending shelf life.”

I have been eating green beans and corn out of cans for most of my life. I actually ENJOY them more than frozen or fresh because it’s the taste I grew up with and am familiar with. I know that might sound crazy but that’s how I’ve had them my entire life. However, I recently came across a very interesting study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that made me think twice about canned foods.

EWG’s tests found:

• Of all foods tested, chicken soup, infant formula, and ravioli had BPA levels of highest concern. Just one to three servings of foods with these concentrations could expose a woman or child to BPA at levels that caused serious adverse effects in animal tests.
• For 1 in 10 cans of all food tested, and 1 in 3 cans of infant formula, a single serving contained enough BPA to expose a woman or infant to BPA levels more than 200 times the government’s traditional safe level of exposure for industrial chemicals. The government typically mandates a 1,000- to 3,000-fold margin of safety between human exposures and levels found to harm lab animals, but these servings contained levels of BPA less than 5 times lower than doses that harmed lab animals.

Infant formula?  Are you serious?  How can this be allowed?  It’s crazy to think that so many parents are buying expensive formula for their children, thinking they are giving them something nutritious and they are all laced with high levels of BPA that can have adverse effects.  That’s just wrong.

At times we look the other way because it’s easier to do so. I can continue to buy canned foods because they are “easier”, “quicker” and “cheaper” than buying fresh or frozen food. I can also continue to buy it because that’s what I have had throughout my life and I seem to be pretty healthy. Or I can start to think about these things and try to change the ways of my past so that my daughter has a healthier life.

When I start to think about how BPA is affecting my health and the health of my family I realize that I have to eliminate canned foods altogether. If this chemical is put into the cans’ liner to “maintain their quality and taste, while extending shelf life”, how is it interacting with the food in the can? What is it doing to our bodies?

It seems like everyday we read about more and more cases of autism, leukemia, and all kinds of cancers affecting so many people. The more I read, the more I realize how I have to change SOOO many things about the way I shop for food, and the foods I expose my family to.

My daughter LOVES sweets. She would be happiest eating junk food all day long. However, as a parent, I need to make smart choices for her. I have to be the one to shop for fruits and veggies and healthy snacks so that she has “sweet” things to choose from that will keep her healthy.

I am reading a book called SuperFoods RX by Dr. Steven Pratt. On page 11 of this book it says, ” Most respectable scientists in the world today agree that at least 30 percent of all cancers are directly related to nutrition. Some would argue that the figure is as high as 70 percent.” That statement was a real eye opener for me.

I am very happy that I began my quest towards healthier, natural and organic foods for my family. I know in the long run, it will be one of the best things I ever did for our family.

I will finish of this post with some tips from The National Institute of Environmental Health Services (NIEHS) to help you and your family minimize and/or prevent exposure to BPA.

Some animal studies suggest that infants and children may be the most vulnerable to the effects of BPA. Parents and caregivers, can make the personal choice to reduce exposures of their infants and children to BPA:

• Don’t microwave polycarbonate plastic food containers. Polycarbonate is strong and durable, but over time it may break down from over use at high temperatures.
• Polycarbonate containers that contain BPA usually have a #7 on the bottom
• Reduce your use of canned foods.
• When possible, opt for glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers, particularly for hot food or liquids.
• Use baby bottles that are BPA free.

What do you think about BPA? I’m interested in hearing your opinion.

Tags: BPA, EWG, NIEHS