FDA Re BPA: " La La La La I Can't Hear You"
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 09.17.08
The Food and Drug Administration held a scientific hearing to discuss its position on Bisphenol A yesterday, and what they said was, frankly, confusing. AP reports that the FDA continues to defend its position- with caveats.
Laura Tarantino, head of the FDA's office of food additive safety, said “A margin of safety exists that is adequate to protect consumers, including infants and children, at the current levels of exposure.”
"Right now, our tentative conclusion is that it's safe, so we're not recommending any change in habits," said Tarantino, But she acknowledged, "there are a number of things people can do to lower their exposure."- and then she immediately recommends a change in habits.
For example, consumers can avoid plastic containers imprinted with the recycling number '7,' as many of those contain BPA. Or, said Tarantino, they can avoid warming food in such containers, as heat helps to release the chemical.
So now the FDA is giving advice on avoiding something that they say is safe. ::Associated Press and ::New York Times
More on the FDA and BPA:
Yet Another Bisphenol A Pile-on: Linked to Heart Disease, Diabetes and Liver Problems
FDA Says BPA Is Safe For Babies
New Study: BPA May Make You Stupid and Depressed
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Listening to the government for advice for your health is like trying to win the lottery by playing your kids birthday and your engagement date. It sounds so cute, but it's about as likely to net you anything worthwhile as sticking your hand in a blender.
So anybody got an alternative to Tupperware-like products? I would be happy to carry ceramic containers if they had some sort fo wicker cover and latch system to keep the lid on and the food in.
Plastics numbered 1,2,4,5 are ok for food the rest are no good for you!
In other words DO NOT use plastics numbered 3, 6 & 7 for food or babies. They are weak in chemical composition and leach massively when exposed to heat. SARAN WRAP IS A 3.
Kids are particularly prone to contamination from leeching plastics because chemicals are measured in parts per million. Its like trying to soak up the same amount of liquid with a small sponge or a large one. The smaller one hits threshold much faster.
BPA has the taint that saccharine and Red Dye # 5 have. At this point, it doesn't matter whether or not it's safe, there is a perception that it is not.
And yes, you can get glass storage containers. You can use the ones you buy your food in or get canning jars at a reasonable price.
Glass jars can be very useful. If you go to Ikea, you can find glass jars that seal (airtight) for $2-$5 depending on style and size.
FYI: Metal lids used for home and commercial canning are often coated with BPA, since metal is reactive when it comes into contact with canned foods.
So buying things canned in glass in order to avoid using plastic is not always safe. Check with manufacturers individually to determine BPA content. Ball and Kerr use BPA in thier home canning lids.