Since the publication of various studies and warnings concerning bisphenol A, representatives from the food packing industry have become worried not only that consumers will cease buying products packaged in plastic, but that the chemical will be banned outright. According to the Washington Post, who obtained notes from an industry meeting last spring, these titans moaned about the future of their industry and the fact that consumers don't appreciate just how important BPA really is.
According to the article's author, Lyndsey Layton, these industry hacks brainstormed about various propaganda campaigns designed to buoy bisphenol A's reputation. Among these were "scare tactics" in which ads would infer that consumers would not be able to buy their favorite foods anymore if BPA were banned to employing a pregnant, female "spokesperson" who would spend her time trumpeting the "benefits of BPA".
Do these guys really believe bisphenol A is safe? Not on your life. There have been scores of articles decrying the negative health effects of BPA, many of them since the 2007 scientific consensus statement. Yet, our own Food and Drug Administration still considers it safe. Based on what, you may ask? Well, based upon two studies funded by the chemical industry, of course.
Personally, I have seen the effects of this controversy in my local stores. Stainless steel has become a viable alternative to plastic for coffee and water containers, for example. Unfortunately, I have also had to cross a couple of items off of my grocery list because they are no longer packaged in glass, but plastic. Danger, schmanger, who cares about health when shipping costs are decreased (without a commensurate drop in price, I might add)?
The evidence is changing minds, though. Japan, who only two years ago said there was no compelling reason to restrict BPA, is now using an alternative, and has cut down significantly on its use of the chemical. In 2008, Canada banned its use in baby bottles, and several baby bottle manufacturers have agreed not to use it in their products.
Legislation is pending in Washington to ban bisphenol A in food containers, and the FDA is taking another look at the science supporting its toxicity to humans. Let's hope that this time, the hundreds of voices decrying the use of this harmful chemical will drown out those few who support it.
According to the article's author, Lyndsey Layton, these industry hacks brainstormed about various propaganda campaigns designed to buoy bisphenol A's reputation. Among these were "scare tactics" in which ads would infer that consumers would not be able to buy their favorite foods anymore if BPA were banned to employing a pregnant, female "spokesperson" who would spend her time trumpeting the "benefits of BPA".
Do these guys really believe bisphenol A is safe? Not on your life. There have been scores of articles decrying the negative health effects of BPA, many of them since the 2007 scientific consensus statement. Yet, our own Food and Drug Administration still considers it safe. Based on what, you may ask? Well, based upon two studies funded by the chemical industry, of course.
Personally, I have seen the effects of this controversy in my local stores. Stainless steel has become a viable alternative to plastic for coffee and water containers, for example. Unfortunately, I have also had to cross a couple of items off of my grocery list because they are no longer packaged in glass, but plastic. Danger, schmanger, who cares about health when shipping costs are decreased (without a commensurate drop in price, I might add)?
The evidence is changing minds, though. Japan, who only two years ago said there was no compelling reason to restrict BPA, is now using an alternative, and has cut down significantly on its use of the chemical. In 2008, Canada banned its use in baby bottles, and several baby bottle manufacturers have agreed not to use it in their products.
Legislation is pending in Washington to ban bisphenol A in food containers, and the FDA is taking another look at the science supporting its toxicity to humans. Let's hope that this time, the hundreds of voices decrying the use of this harmful chemical will drown out those few who support it.
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