Understanding the new BPA law and recommendations for consumers

June 29, 2010

On May 19, Governor Douglas signed into law a bill to enact tough restrictions on the synthetic sex hormone, bisphenol A (BPA).  The VPIRG-backed law, Act 112, phases out the use of BPA in the following products:
 
•    Reusable food and beverage containers – This includes baby bottles, sports bottles, thermoses, Tupperware, and other reusable food and beverage containers.  Unfortunately, this does not include large water cooler jugs like those found in offices.  This provision of the law goes into effect on July 1, 2012.

•    Infant formula or baby food stored in a plastic container or jar – This provision goes into effect on July 1, 2012.

•    Infant formula or baby food stored in a can – This provision goes into effect on July 1, 2014.

Tips for Reducing Your Exposure
 
Since the first of these provisions does not take effect until 2012, and other BPA-tainted items (such as vegetable food cans) were not included due the currently limited availability of safer alternatives, here are some tips to help reduce your exposure to BPA.  We know that we all have to work within the limits of our budgets and the products that are accessible to us.  For this reason, we have included a range of options for you to consider.

1.  Use alternatives to plastic whenever possible – Avoiding plastic food and beverage containers whenever possible is best.  There are many alternatives out there including stainless steel water bottles and sippy cups, and glass storage containers and baby bottles.  While safer alternative plastics do exist, most plastics are petroleum-based and rarely pose no threat to health or the environment.

2.  Beware of plastics with recycling code #7 and choose safer plastics – If using glass or stainless steel isn’t an option for you, try to avoid plastics with the #7 recycling code.  This code usually means that the product is made of polycarbonate plastic (although some bio-based plastics are also included in this category).  BPA is the building block of polycarbonate plastic.  In addition, plastics with recycling codes 1, 2, and 5 are believed to be generally safer alternatives.

3.  Avoid canned food – BPA is often used in the lining of canned foods.  When possible, opt for fresh produce (preferably local and sustainably grown).  You can also opt for dried or frozen goods over canned food, or you can choose items sold in glass jars such as tomatoes.