Whenever possible, plastic containers should be avoided
completely. GLASS is best and least toxic, however as it is becoming
more difficult to find food in glass containers, this information is
provided as a guide. Modern plastic products come embossed with a
recycling number. This is a number between 1 and 7 which indicates
the type of plastic used to manufacture the item. It has generally
been reported that numbers 3, 6, and 7 plastics have the potential
to release toxic chemicals into any food product contained within
them.
When you buy a container of some product it is a simple matter to
turn the product upside down and read the number inside the triangle
of arrows. Numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 are considered safe, as there has
not been any chemical leaching detected from these materials.
Number 3 is polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. PVC releases dioxins and can
leach vinyl chloride and plasticizers in use. These chemicals are
potent carcinogens. Number 6 is polystyrene, which can leach
styrene, which has been shown to be a carcinogen and disrupts
hormone levels. Polycarbonate, which is number 7, is supposed to be
the worst of these three. It has been shown to leach bisphenol A, or
BPA into hot liquids. Most baby bottles are made out of number 7,
and this could be a source of concern. While bisphenol A has a low
acute toxicity, there is concern about it because it mimics estrogen
in the human body. Studies of bisphenol A exposure in animals have
shown links to breast and prostate cancer at levels very much below
what the government considers safe.
To minimize any harmful effects from plastic containers, do not heat
foods or liquids in plastic containers. Look for the more inert
plastics when you purchase items. It might be advisable to purchase
foods in glass, metal, or paper containers. With most of the food
sold today coming in plastic packaging it might be hard to find an
alternative. Still, with a bit of safe handling and remembering not
to heat foods in these containers, any risk can be minimized.
Again, whenever possible, avoid plastic containers completely. GLASS
is best!
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