Plastic food and beverage containers have been implicated in a number of health issues, especially in our developing youth. When plastics break down they can leach their chemical components into our foods, or directly into the body, as when infants and toddlers chew or suck on plastic products.
Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been identified as a particularly harmful endocrine disrupter and is suspected to contribute to a wide range of behavioral and developmental disorders such as anxiety, hyperactivity, and early onset of puberty.
But be careful. Even when products are labeled “BPA-Free”, many of them are simply substituted with Bisphenol-S (BPS), which is – you guessed it – also an endocrine disrupter.
To be safe, store foods and beverages in glass containers whenever possible. If you must use plastic, do not reheat food in it or run it through the dishwasher, as high heat has been known to facilitate its breakdown.
