Don't get poisoned by your food containers

Birdseye — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:08:00 GMT

BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical commonly used to line the inside of cans and other food containers. Several reports (including this one) have indicated that this noxious chemical is leaching into the actual food product, posing a huge risk to consumers. The November issue of WDDTY has the full story on this, but here are Joanna Evans’ six tips for limiting your exposure to this compound:

consume fresh, unprocessed foods and avoid canned foods as much as possible.
avoid number 7 plastics. Polycarbonate plastic food containers marked with a number ‘7’ in the recycling logo usually contain BPA. In general, these are rigid and transparent plastic containers. Plastics that are numbered 1, 2 and 4 are safer choices, as they don’t contain BPA.
use glass baby-bottles, or those made of the safer polypropylene and polyethylene plastics. Pliable, cloudy-coloured plastic does not contain BPA. Medela-brand bottles used to store breast milk are also labelled BPA-free.
choose glass rather than plastic water bottles, or get your water from the tap. Also, avoid metal water bottles as they may be lined with BPA-containing plastic.
avoid using plastic containers in the microwave. Ceramic, glass and other micwowaveable dishware are good alternatives.
avoid storing food and drink in plastic containers. Glass and stainless steel are better, safer choices.

Do you have any other tips for minimising the health risks of supermarket shopping? If so, please post them below.

Birdseye: Health Tips from the Blogosphere : BPA

Don't get poisoned by your food containers