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More States Move to Ban BPA Even While FDA Does Nothing
More States Move to Ban BPA Even While FDA Does Nothing
Tuesday, May 7, 2010 Author: Ethan A. Huff Source: Natural News
An increasing number of states are considering banning bisphenol-A (BPA) from
food and drink containers in response to growing concerns that the chemical causes
cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other serious illnesses. Despite disregard by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about its potential dangers, states like
Connecticut and Massachusetts have passed legislation outlawing the chemical from
being used in food and drink containers.
For years, the FDA has denied that BPA is dangerous, even when numerous
studies have indicated that the chemical leeches into food and disrupts hormones.
After being pressed to reevaluate its position by the National Toxicology Program
and others who disagreed with the FDA's position, the agency reluctantly agreed to
take a look at the evidence once more.
Last month, the FDA announced that it now has "some concerns" about BPA's effect
on brain development in children and babies, but would not admit that the chemical
is dangerous or unsafe. The agency has stated it will not issue a ban on BPA, even
though it agrees that the chemical is likely problematic.
Spokesmen from the American Chemistry Council (ACC) agreed with the FDA's
decision, insisting that a ban on BPA is unnecessary. According to ACC, research
indicates that BPA is perfectly safe.
Industry rhetoric is not enough to convince the public, however, which is increasingly
opposed to the chemical's use in food containers. Many manufacturers have
responded to the outcry over BPA by voluntarily eliminating it from their containers
and noting on labels that the products are "BPA free".
In addition to Connecticut and Massachusetts, the city of Chicago and Suffolk
County, New York have also banned BPA from food containers as has the entire
nation of Canada. New Mexico, Maryland, Missouri, California, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., also have pending legislation to ban
the chemical as well.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), plastic
containers whose bottoms bear a 3 or 7 in the triangle recycling logo likely contain
BPA. Those with a 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 most likely do not. HHS also recommends not
using plastic containers that are scratched since they are more likely to leech toxic
chemicals.
It is always good practice not to put really hot liquids into plastic containers, since
doing so can encourage leeching of chemicals like BPA. Freezing plastic bottles is
also a bad idea because it can encourage leeching as well.
,
Tuesday, May 7, 2010 Author: Ethan A. Huff Source: Natural News
An increasing number of states are considering banning bisphenol-A (BPA) from
food and drink containers in response to growing concerns that the chemical causes
cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other serious illnesses. Despite disregard by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about its potential dangers, states like
Connecticut and Massachusetts have passed legislation outlawing the chemical from
being used in food and drink containers.
For years, the FDA has denied that BPA is dangerous, even when numerous
studies have indicated that the chemical leeches into food and disrupts hormones.
After being pressed to reevaluate its position by the National Toxicology Program
and others who disagreed with the FDA's position, the agency reluctantly agreed to
take a look at the evidence once more.
Last month, the FDA announced that it now has "some concerns" about BPA's effect
on brain development in children and babies, but would not admit that the chemical
is dangerous or unsafe. The agency has stated it will not issue a ban on BPA, even
though it agrees that the chemical is likely problematic.
Spokesmen from the American Chemistry Council (ACC) agreed with the FDA's
decision, insisting that a ban on BPA is unnecessary. According to ACC, research
indicates that BPA is perfectly safe.
Industry rhetoric is not enough to convince the public, however, which is increasingly
opposed to the chemical's use in food containers. Many manufacturers have
responded to the outcry over BPA by voluntarily eliminating it from their containers
and noting on labels that the products are "BPA free".
In addition to Connecticut and Massachusetts, the city of Chicago and Suffolk
County, New York have also banned BPA from food containers as has the entire
nation of Canada. New Mexico, Maryland, Missouri, California, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., also have pending legislation to ban
the chemical as well.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), plastic
containers whose bottoms bear a 3 or 7 in the triangle recycling logo likely contain
BPA. Those with a 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 most likely do not. HHS also recommends not
using plastic containers that are scratched since they are more likely to leech toxic
chemicals.
It is always good practice not to put really hot liquids into plastic containers, since
doing so can encourage leeching of chemicals like BPA. Freezing plastic bottles is
also a bad idea because it can encourage leeching as well.
,