JUST HOW DANGEROUS IS BPA IN CANNED FOOD? Bisphenol-A is an industrial chemical that has been present in many canned goods since the 1960s to help protect the integrity of cans and prevent microbial contamination of food. It also has been used in hard plastic bottles and in household products such as food storage containers. But in the last decade, there has been growing consumer awareness about the health risks that BPA can pose, particularly to fetuses, infants and young children. A growing number of health officials are concerned about the role that BPA may play in childhood brain development and behavior problems, and some studies on animals have shown a possible link between BPA exposure and an increased risk of cancer later in life. 10 WAYS YOU CAN REDUCE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO BPA: If youre concerned about exposure to bisphenol-A, there are several easy ways to avoid it AT THE STORE: • Reduce your use of canned foods, or look for cans that are clearly marked BPA-free. Or purchase food in aseptic brick cartons. • Use fresh or frozen vegetables and fruit, which havent been exposed to BPA. • Use dried beans instead of canned. They may take longer to cook, but youll save tons of money. • Buy tomato sauces in glass jars. BPA may be present in the lining of the jar lids, but exposure is limited if they have been stored upright. • If you drink juice or soda, opt for glass or plastic bottles, which are safer than canned versions, which often contain BPA. AT HOME: • Dont microwave food -- including frozen entrees -- in plastic containers. Polycarbonate plastics may be durable, but they can break down at high temperatures, increasing the possibility of BPA leaching into food. Instead, use glass or ceramic dishes for microwaving food. • As a general rule, try to store food in glass containers. If you use plastic food containers to store food, avoid using them for acidic foods. • Wash plastic containers by hand in warm, soapy water. High temperatures in dishwashers can also cause plastics to break down. • For portable water bottles, opt for BPA-free stainless steel, though most new recyclable plastic water bottles do not contain BPA. Plastic bottles that contain BPA are usually marked with a No. 7 recycling code on the bottom. • Avoid using old and scratched plastic food containers and bottles.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 14:11:13 +0000
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