Understanding BPA-Free: What It Means and Its Safety Implications

Understanding BPA-Free: What It Means and Its Safety Implications

Since the 1960s, BPA has been a chemical utilized in the production of certain plastics and resins. Over the years, it has found numerous applications, particularly in containers for food and drinks, such as water bottles, baby bottles, food storage containers, and epoxy coatings for metal-based or stainless steel cans used for food and beverages.
In this article, we aim to clarify the history and present safety considerations of BPA-containing plastics. We will also explore various topics related to this issue. Notably, Creative Package ensures that their selection of plastic bottles, jars, caps, closures, and other accessories are entirely free from BPA.

• Understanding BPA Plastics: Their Definition, History, and Significance
• Identifying Products That Contain BPA
• Assessing the Safety and Possible Side Effects of BPA Plastics

What Does BPA Stand For?

Bisphenol A, commonly abbreviated as BPA, is an organic synthetic compound utilized in the production of polycarbonate plastics. These plastics are often used to make containers for food and beverages. Additionally, BPA is present in epoxy resins, which serve as linings in metal items such as food cans, bottle caps, and water supply pipes.

A Brief History of BPA

Although Russian chemist Aleksandr Dianin discovered and synthesized BPA in 1891, it wasn't incorporated into Polycarbonate (PC) production until the 1950s. In the 1930s, Edward Charles Dodd found that BPA exhibited estrogen-like properties while searching for an estrogen drug. This research contributed to the development of diethylstilbestrol (DES), which was subsequently banned in 1971 due to its carcinogenic and toxic nature. It wasn't until several decades later that BPA was used in the first epoxy resins, developed by chemists at DeTrey Freres in Switzerland and DeVoe Raynolds in the United States. These advancements paved the way for BPA's application in plastics in the early 1950s, following further discoveries by Bayer and General Electric.

Initially employed in electrical and electronic applications, the polycarbonate resin produced using BPA in plastic manufacturing later gained popularity in various other areas. It found widespread use in the production of plastic bottles, as a lining for metal food and beverage cans, and in various consumer goods containers.

Products That Contain BPA

A significant number of individuals residing in the United States have likely encountered BPA, which may lead to their interaction with hazardous chemicals. Despite various attempts, such as those by the Food and Drug Administration, to decrease its presence in packaging and encourage the use of BPA-free options, this chemical remains prevalent in numerous everyday products. Frequently found items that often contain BPA are:

• Canned Foods
• Sports Water Bottles
• Tupperware products that were produced before 2010
• Plastic products for infants that were produced before July 2011
• Plastic products stamped with the "7 OTHER Code for Recycling" may contain BPA.

How to Tell If A Plastic Product Is BPA Free?

If you're curious about the meaning of BPA-free and want to learn how to identify BPA-free household items and containers, there are a few methods to do so.
One simple way to check if plastics are BPA-free is by examining the number imprinted on them. This mark is designed to assist in quickly recognizing products that are BPA-free. Containers made from plastic labeled with the numbers 1, 2, or 5 are generally considered free of BPA. However, if you see a 7 on a plastic product, it suggests that BPA might have been used in its production.

1. Check the recycling number at the bottom of the container:

• PETE (polyethylene Terephthalate)- Found in many soft drinks, mineral waters, fruit juice bottles, and cooking oils.
• HDPE (high density polyethylene)- Found in detergents, shampoo bottles, and washing and shower soaps.
• Polyvinyl Chloride- Found in food foils and packaging (bubble foil) as well as trays used for sweets or fruit.
• Low-Density polyethylene- Found in shrink wraps and dry cleaner bags. Also found in squeezable bottles and plastic bags for packaging bread.
• PP (Polypropylene) - Found in diapers, pails and plastic bottles tops. Also found in potato chip bags, yogurt containers, baggies of potato chips, straws as well as packing tapes and rope.
• Polystyrene is commonly found in Styrofoam cups, take-out food containers, cartons of eggs, and foam packaging.
• OTHERS (BPA and Polycarbonate)- Found in cans, sippy cups, water bottles for sports, food containers, and some other products.

2. Examine whether the plastic is flexible and bendable. Keep in mind that plastics with BPA tend to be clear and rigid, often found in items like water bottles or baby bottles.

3.Determine the age of the plastic item. If it has been in use since the late 1950s, it might contain BPA and is unlikely to have an identifying label.
With this knowledge of the history and ability to recognize BPA-free plastics, you may be curious about sourcing safe, BPA-free plastics for your needs. Creative Package offers a range of plastic bottles and jars that are free from BPA, making them suitable for food, beverages, and various consumer goods.

Safety and Side Effects of BPA Products

One of the major worries about safety is that most individuals encounter BPA through their diet. Studies from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reveal that heat can cause BPA to leach into food or beverages. Specifically, when items like tableware, reusable plastic food storage containers, and water bottles are reheated, the protective epoxy resin coatings inside these products can break down over time. This degradation allows BPA to migrate into what we eat and drink.

Some symptoms and health effects of being exposed to BPA consist of the following:

• Hormone Levels – BPA has the potential to disrupt the body’s hormone levels in fetuses, babies, and children.
• Brain – The National Toxicology Program at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that there are possible effects on the brain and behavior of infants and children.
• Cancer – Some animal studies conducted by the FDA also show a possible link between BPA exposure can lead to an increased risk of cancer.
• Heat – Research from the CDC found that higher levels of BPA were associated with coronary heart disease.

In short, BPA has a rich 100-year history. Over the decades, we've discovered multiple reasons why BPA can pose health risks to humans. Additionally, we've provided ways for you to determine whether your product or container contains BPA, ensuring you can identify safe plastics. Fortunately, BPA has been largely eliminated from nearly all plastic production, making it far less common in storage containers and beverage bottles today.