BPA, or Bisphenol-A, is a compound used to harden plastics. It is found in polycarbonate plastics used in food packaging, like plastic bottles, but also in epoxy resins used to coat cans. It is also a synthetic estrogen.
If you haven't already read about synthetic estrogen in your food, please see my earlier post, http://swedishchefinva.blogspot.com/2010/11/very-important-post-about-beef.html. But basically, synthetic hormones disrupt the correct functioning of our endocrine system, and can lead to increased instances of reproductive problems, diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancers, to name a few.
So, one question is, where is this BPA stuff, and how do I avoid it?
Many manufacturers are now aware that people don't want to ingest BPA, and manufacturers of things like baby bottles and water bottles now tend to label BPS-free products -- so look for these.
Some canned food manufacturers are also getting the hint. Try to buy things in glass jars instead of in aluminum cans. Although the lids may contain trace amounts of BPA, the glass is BPA-free and you will lessen your possible exposure greatly! Eden Foods now uses mainly BPA-free cans, and Muir Glen is now packaging some of their products in BPA-free cans as well.
You could also switch to buying fresh or frozen vegetables. This is really difficult when it comes to tomatoes, so be aware: Even if you can your own, some of the lids in home-canning products contain BPA.
As far as things we buy in plastic, recyclable containers give you a big clue. Containers marked with the #7 will contain BPA. Containers marked #1, #2, #4 and #5 are BPA free.
If you are worried about BPA in your home cooking, try buying some Pyrex microwave cookware. They have glass-like bodies and BPA-free lids. Ziploc brand plastic wrap, Saran brand plastic wrap, and GladWare storage containers are all BPA-free as well, as are Brita water pitchers.
If you are still worried about the plastics in your home, such as phthalates and BPA, there is some good reading at:
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