| As easy as it is to pop those leftovers right from | | | | are simply a country that likes convenience, but |
| the refrigerator to the microwave in those | | | | we may be paying for it with our health. |
| convenient plastic food storage containers, you | | | | Check to see if you have BPA in your cupboards. |
| might want to think twice. Taking that extra | | | | They are the hard, non-flexible plastic storage |
| minute to get out a glass or ceramic dish, the | | | | containers with a recycle code of 7. The recycle |
| only truly safe microwave cookware, could spare | | | | code is usually found on the bottom of a |
| your health. | | | | container as a number inside of a small triangular |
| There has been a huge extent of controversy | | | | shape. Some of these #7 containers that contain |
| over the leaching of BPA (Bisphenol A) into food | | | | BPA even have Safe Microwave Cookware |
| or liquid, not even cooked, but stored in | | | | stamped on the bottom. Don't bet on it. Some of |
| containers made of polycarbonate (PC) plastic. | | | | these containers were made before the |
| When heat is added the leaching of chemicals | | | | controversy arose, and others are made by |
| may be intensified and more harmful than we | | | | manufacturers who, relying on the FDA's |
| think. | | | | research, believe their products are safe. |
| BPA is a synthetic estrogen that adds properties | | | | The softer, more flexible type of food storage |
| to plastic, making it clear, strong, and shatter | | | | container that has a recycle code of 5 is made of |
| resistant. In late 2008, the FDA (Food and Drug | | | | polypropylene (PP) and does not contain BPA. |
| Administration) held its' position that BPA is safe | | | | These containers are safe to store food in; |
| at the levels at which we are exposed; however, | | | | however, food should never be cooked or |
| critics and independent scientists disagree since | | | | reheated in them. The #5 containers also leach |
| hundreds of independent studies have proven | | | | toxins and plastic particles into the food or liquid |
| otherwise. | | | | heated in them. A great example of this can be |
| BPA has been linked to prostate cancer, breast | | | | observed when tomato sauce is heated in a |
| cancer, ovarian dysfunction, early onset puberty, | | | | polypropylene plastic container. The plastic actually |
| and type II diabetes, and is believed to be even | | | | changes form and bubbles due to the reaction of |
| more harmful to fetuses and infants. | | | | the chemicals found in the plastic and the acidic |
| Since these findings have been uncovered, six | | | | food, causing tiny particles of plastic to mix with |
| major baby bottle companies have voluntarily | | | | the food. |
| discontinued making plastic baby bottles that | | | | Although the EPA (Environmental Protection |
| contain BPA. Bravo for Avent America, Inc., | | | | Agency) has asked the National Academies of |
| Disney First Years, Dr. Brown, Evenflo, Gerber, | | | | Science to conduct a new study on the effects |
| and Playtex Products, Inc. Most baby bottles sold | | | | of BPA, the process could take years. Until the |
| in the US today are BPA free. So why would we | | | | research is complete, it might be wise to become |
| want to store or microwave our food in a food | | | | more health conscious and a bit old fashioned and |
| storage container that embodies a chemical | | | | go back to using ceramic and glass. They are |
| deemed so harmful that baby bottle | | | | already becoming recognized as the new green |
| manufacturer's voluntarily stopped using it? We | | | | cookware for microwaving. |