Q. I have heard that an ingredient in plastic called bisphenol A can get into foods and beverages from containers. I was so impressed with the evidence of harm that I thought I would see what food I could buy without plastic wrap, plastic containers or cans.
My options were few! I bought a lot of fresh veggies, but had to put them in plastic bags. We don’t drink sodas, but many ‘healthy’ drinks come in plastic. I searched for glass bottled juices and oils but found very few choices. The meats, eggs, ‘smart’ margarines–even the organic versions–all came in plastic containers, and were often wrapped in plastic.
My shopping cart was full of interesting new choices, but I wonder: How can I avoid plastic with bisphenol A?
A. There is a raging controversy about the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) found in polycarbonate plastics. This compound mimics estrogen. Water bottles, baby bottles and the lining of metal cans often contain BPA. Plastic containers may be marked with the recycling code 7.
On our radio show, we discussed the health consequences of BPA in great detail with some of the country’s leading experts.
