FDA Says BPA Still OK

The chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) is once again in the news, following the release of a draft report by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 15th. The FDA report says BPA is safe at typical exposure levels – a finding welcomed by the food packaging industry and condemned by watchdog groups. The opinion mirrors the findings of a European Food Safety Authority panel, which reviewed the research done on BPA and concluded it passes through the human body much faster than in rodents (the animals used for testing the chemical’s effects) posing little opportunity for harm to human fetuses or newborns.

Critics of the report however, say the FDA is relying on studies funded by the chemical industry and ignoring the research (and warnings) of independent scientists. They claim the FDA is suffering from undue influence and there may be no safe level of exposure to the chemical.

For consumers, the biggest question is whether or not BPA is a health risk. Unfortunately, there’s no definitive answer. Here are four things we know for sure:

-    BPA has been in use in the food industry for over 50 years and is used in everything from polycarbonate plastic water and baby bottles to the inner lining for canned foods.
-    Studies have shown the chemical can act as an ‘endocrine disruptor’ affecting sexual development.
-    A national health survey in 2004 found nearly 93% of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their urine. The finding was based upon on testing of 2,500 subjects aged 6 years or older.
-    The amounts were below toxic levels, according to current regulations.

Our advice? If you have children, especially infants, it’s probably not a good idea to heat up milk or formula in plastic baby bottles, as the heating process increases the amount of BPA leaching from the plastic. It’s a simple precaution and one worth taking for the peace of mind it brings.

For the rest of us, it comes down to a personal decision. That’s why we won’t be following the lead of some companies that have unilaterally pulled polycarbonate bottles from their product offerings. Our products have been approved by the appropriate regulatory agencies and we believe consumers should be allowed to make their own choices. We will continue to sell polycarbonate bottles to customers that want them, as well as offering a variety of stainless steel and aluminum models for those who desire the option.
 

You can see our most popular drinkware by clicking on this link: www.earthimprints.com/drinkware