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You are here because you are aware of the potentially harmful chemicals lurking in the food containers designed to protect our meals and store our food safely.
It turns out that all plastic food containers leach toxic chemicals and are a threat to a healthy body.
Safe plastic doesn’t exist. It requires chemical bonds to make and shape plastics, and they can leach into food and beverages, especially when heated.
Our best option is to use stainless steel containers for food storage or glass containers.
Why is it important to use natural materials?
Since living in Canada, I changed my life around a bit. My morning routine has become one where I voluntarily get up at 5 a.m., meditate, journal, and drink lots of water. Now, I don’t mean to brag. I am just an average human, and anyone can do this ( if you really want to).
I am telling you this because I have started to treat my body more like my temple. It is not just a vehicle that one day will break down, and I know this will be the case, but life is much more enjoyable when your body feels strong and healthy.
This also led me to phase out most of my plastic containers in the house. Now, I am saying most since I still use my Nutribullet daily, and for those of you who know and love the Nutribullet (mixer), it has a plastic container to hold the content for blending.
Apart from that, I no longer use plastic containers when storing my food or serving it. The main reason is that I do not want to add more toxins to my environment and food.
Momentarily, I avoid canned food mainly because of the thin layer of plastic the cans have inside. Yep, I was also surprised when I learned this. Drinking water from a plastic bottle or consuming food out of a styrofoam container that you just heated in the microwave is adding an enormous amount of microplastic to your body, according to research.
93% of all water bottles tested had plastic particles in the water.
All but one of the tested sea salt brands contained plastic. Find out which sea salt is safe to eat in this article.
The dangers of plastic food containers.
Why do I avoid plastic containers and food cans? It is known and proven that plastic leaches harmful chemicals that can disrupt hormone function.
Scientific American saysthey can lead to breast cancer growth and low sperm count.
We are trying to make a baby, and I don’t want to risk having a sick baby just because I couldn’t store my leftovers in a glass bowl or a stainless steel container. Would you?
Sorry,Tupperwarefrom the ’50s.
Many think plastic lasts forever, but that isn’t entirely true. Especially when heating and cooling plastic containers, these endocrine-interrupting chemicals break down. And when they break down, they end up in our food. As a result, they can cause destructive and developmental health issues.
Related:What is Microplastic, and how to avoid it?
But what about “BPA-free” plastics? Aren’t these safe?
I hear this a lot. I used to buy into the idea that BPA-free plastics were safer too. But guys, we’ve been tricked!
Ages ago, I used to buy BPA-free plastics thinking this was a better alternative, while all I was doing was swapping one chemical for another. So for all the zero wasters or want to be zero waste out there, here is the scoop on why you should skip the plastic.
What is Bisphenol A (BPA)?
BPA is an industrial chemical used since the ’60s to make certain plastics and resins. BPA has been found in Polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin.
Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as water bottles, Tupperware and even baby bottles. Crazy right?
Epoxy resins coat the inside of metal products, such as food cans, bottle tops, and water supply lines. Other common usages for epoxy resin are in the building industry as adhesives or for coating on almost any surface. Remember those shiny wooden tables that look like they have a thin layer of glass on top of them? That is also epoxy resin.
Some research has found that BPA can seep into the food or beverages made with BPA. And BPA is toxic to the body.
In September 2008, the National Toxicology Program of NIH determined that BPA may pose risks to human development, raising concerns for early puberty, prostate effects, breast cancer, and behavioral impacts from early-life exposures. Pregnant women, infants and young children are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of BPA, although a recent study linked BPA exposures to the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and liver toxicity. (Source)
BPA is so harmful that many countries ( China, The European Union, parts of America, and Canada) have completely banned baby bottle use.
But an ongoing problem is the chemicals that remain in the plastics. Banning one chemical and replacing it with another one is not the solution. BPA is so bad that many countries ( China, The European Union, parts of America, and Canada) have banned the use of baby bottles completely.
The Problem with BPA Free
Now you may think, I’ll buy BPA-free, but BPA-free does NOT mean toxin-free. Think about it.
According to new reports, bisphenol A (BPA) has just been replaced with other equally dangerous chemicals, most notably bisphenol S.
Breaking new research indicates that manufacturers worldwide using the toxic hormone-disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA) may have switched to an equally toxic analog in the same bisphenol chemical class known as bisphenol S (BPS) to evade regulatory oversight.
Despite the industry-wide move away from BPA towards BPS, they both exhibit similar estrogen-like properties.
According to a report in Scientific American:
95% of Canadians between the age of 3 and 79 have tested positive for the chemical BPA in their urine.
“Nearly 81 % of Americans have detectable levels of BPS in their urine.
It can affect cells when it enters our bodies, similar to BPA exposure.
A 2013 study by Cheryl Watson at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that even picomolar concentrations (less than one part per trillion) of BPS can disrupt a cell’s normal functioning, which could potentially lead to metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity, asthma, congenital disabilities or even cancer.”
The more I learned about plastic, the more shocked I was that we are making baby products out of this stuff. We use it to store our food and precious water, which, especially in the hot summer months, becomes a ticking time bomb. If left in a warm room, car, or direct sunlight, your water becomes a toxic juice.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to knowingly store, wrap, or serve my food in known endocrine disruptors linked to obesity, diabetes, cancer, infertility and more.
Here are a few ways to avoid BPA and BPS (and all their evil pals) in your everyday life.
You can also have a look at these zero waste swaps for your healthy lifestyle.
Tips to avoid plastic containers
To dramatically reduce phthalate exposure and other chemicals from entering your body, follow the below actions for a healthier life.
- Avoid plastic water bottles and opt for glass or stainless steel reusable bottles like the Kleen Canteen or the Yeti.
- Store your food in reusable glass or stainless steel takeout containers.
- Use glass bakeware for all your baking needs.
- Avoid plastic-lined paper cups, and carry a KeepCup or a reusable coffee cup.
- Make your coffee in a glass french press or, my favorite, the percolator.
- Avoid aluminum soda cans (an excellent reason to kick the bad habit in the butt).
- Avoid buying plastic-packaged food. Homemade tastes so much better, anyway.
- Avoid using canned food.
- Although BPA is still found in receipt paper, can linings, and many plastic products, I recommend avoiding it altogether. Thankfully we can take a quick snapshot of our receipts, withExpensify, for example.
- Dust and vacuum your house regularly since carpets and curtains are often made from synthetic fibers and get airborne.
Yes, your coca-cola can also is lined with a thin layer of plastic. Don’t believe me? Check out this little video to prove it to yourself at home. The secret of the aluminum can: what is it hiding?
Final thoughts
The dangers of plastic containers for food are real.
I know it’s impossible to avoidALLplastic containers; I get it; EVERYTHINGcomes in plastic.
I’m not saying you should obsess over every piece of plastic (please don’t), but be smart about eliminating it in places where it’s easy to replace…like beverage containers, food packaging, dishes, and baby bottles.
Remember that life isn’t about perfection; it’s about making smarter decisions and doing what you can.
There have been times when I have come out of the ocean after a kitesurf session on a hot summer day, and I needed to hydrate. The only best thing was to buy a water bottle from the milk bar. I’m not going to dehydrate because I’m avoiding BPA, and I’m going to buy water in a plastic bottle because that’s a better option than going to the hospital for heat exhaustion.
How about you? Have you implemented these tips in your life? Are there some safe products that you love and that I missed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Until next time!
I've spent years delving into the intricacies of materials, their impact on health, and the environmental consequences of our choices. This topic hits close to home for me, as my commitment to a healthier lifestyle led me to scrutinize the materials that come into contact with our food.
The article raises crucial points about the potential dangers of plastic food containers, and I've extensively studied the evidence supporting these claims. Plastic containers, despite their convenience, pose serious threats to our well-being. The chemical bonds used in manufacturing plastics can leach harmful substances into our food, particularly when exposed to heat.
Having transitioned away from plastic containers myself, I resonate with the author's choice of stainless steel and glass alternatives. These materials not only eliminate the risk of chemical leaching but also contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach.
The mention of Canada brings to mind the regulations and bans imposed by various countries, including China, the European Union, parts of America, and Canada itself, on the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles due to its proven harmful effects. This underscores the need for vigilance in our choices.
BPA, a well-known industrial chemical, has been used in plastics and resins for decades. The scientific evidence linking BPA to adverse health effects, particularly in vulnerable populations like pregnant women, infants, and young children, is compelling. The ban on BPA in baby bottles in several countries is a testament to the gravity of its health risks.
The article sheds light on a common misconception about "BPA-free" plastics, revealing that they are not necessarily toxin-free. The substitution of BPA with equally harmful alternatives, such as bisphenol S (BPS), emphasizes the need for a broader perspective in evaluating the safety of plastic alternatives.
The comprehensive tips provided to avoid plastic containers offer practical alternatives for a healthier lifestyle. From choosing glass or stainless steel water bottles to opting for glass bakeware and avoiding plastic-packaged food, these suggestions align with my own research and choices.
In conclusion, the dangers of plastic containers for food are substantiated by scientific evidence, and the article effectively communicates the urgency of making informed choices for our well-being. While achieving perfection in eliminating all plastic may be challenging, the emphasis on making smarter decisions where possible resonates with my own ethos. The integration of personal experiences, scientific facts, and practical tips makes this article a valuable resource for those seeking to navigate the complex landscape of food container choices.
