Food Storage And BPA – Which Containers Are Best?

I bet you don’t think twice about the type of food storage you use. It’s not usually something that causes a lot of people to think twice about. However, more and more stories are coming about on the news regarding plastic water bottles leaching substances into the drinking water. We all know that water bottles from the store are made from plastic. And what are most food storage containers made from? That’s right….plastic. The substance in question is a chemical called bisphenol A, or BPA for short. Here, we’ll take a look at what BPA is and figure out which containers are best for storing food.

What Exactly Is BPA?

BPA is a chemical substance produced in massive quantities that is used in the manufacturing of epoxy and polycarbonate plastics. Epoxy resins are made into lacquers that coat metal objects. Products with epoxy resins include bottle tops, food cans, and water supply pipes. Products that include polycarbonate plastics are water bottles, baby bottles, and some food and drink packages. These coatings of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics are used to prevent corrosion and bacterial contamination.

How BPA Can Get Into The Body?

People get the majority of their BPA intake through drinks and food. BPA can seep into the foods we eat from the “protective” epoxy resin coatings that cover food cans, and on certain types of tableware. Babies and infants consume BPA through their bottles that are coated with epoxy resins. When the coatings are made, some bits and pieces of the molecule don’t form correctly, and they can leach into food and drinks. This leaching action can be sped up by microwaving food storage containers. The molecules can also break down with age and leach into food that way. It’s best to replace these types of food storage containers often and avoid microwaving them. It’s best to avoid putting them in the dish washer because this can speed up the break down rate of these molecules.

What Can BPA Do To You?

Although BPA testing hasn’t been done on humans, several studies have been done on animals. BPA can show up in the blood and in the urine. The results of these tests have shown that very low amounts of BPA can increase the risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and Type II Diabetes

We only get very small doses of BPA every day, but as time goes by, those small doses can add up. The results of the animal testings should be a warning sign. If these diseases are popping up in animals through BPA exposure, then they could probably pop up in humans as well.

How To Tell If Containers Have BPA?

Give the container a squeeze. If the plastic is pliable, it probably doesn’t have BPA in it. If it’s hard, it most likely contains BPA. Look at the bottom of the container and check the number located there. If the number is 7, it means it has BPA.

Which Containers Are Best

So, what storage containers are best to use? Look for labels on the packages that say “BPA Free”. Any containers that are labeled as “BPA Free” will be safe. You can also opt to use glass bowls with BPA Free lids. More environmentally friendly products are coming out for the specific use of food storage, such as storage bags. These bags come in all shapes and sizes and are made organically.

Food storage and BPA concerns are real, and it’s best to take care when picking out containers to store leftover food. There are healthier alternatives out there, and it may be in your best interest to look around and find them.

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