BPA is primarily found in polycarbonate plastics that are used in hard and shatter resistant plastic food and drink containers. Studies were done on BPA and it became clear that it easily leaches into its surroundings; when we are talking about plastic food containers, this means BPA leaching into your food and then getting into your body. BPA is an endocrine disrupting chemical, meaning it messes with our hormones. Studies have shown that there is an association between BPA and decreased thyroid function, increased allergies, inflammation, altered liver function, asthma and obesity.
So BPA is to be avoided… most of us knew that already. However, just because a plastic food container is BPA free, it doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t still be avoided. Why? Because BPA was replaced with BPS, a different chemical that had not been studied. Studies on BPS have been done now, showing that BPS is just as harmful if not more as BPA. Tritan is another replacement for BPA and the manufacturer claims that it doesn’t disrupt hormones, but it only has a self-funded study to support this claim. One small study done on Tristan suggested that the body breaks down one of the chemicals in it into something called TPA, exposure to which could trigger cancer. Tritan is used in many lunchboxes and water bottles that are marketed as BPA free. Tritan plastics are also a #7 plastic, meaning they are very difficult to recycle and inevitably end up in landfills where they will linger for hundreds of years.
And please remember that you should never put hot food into plastic containers or put plastic containers in the microwave (or oven). Even if a prepared food claims that it is safe to heat up the food in the plastic container it came in, all that means is that the container won’t melt… but toxic chemicals will definitely get into your food. There is no such thing as microwave-safe plastic!
So what is the solution? The solution is food containers that are made of stainless steel, glass or silicone. Stainless steel is non-reactive and doesn’t leach chemicals. It is also extremely durable and long lasting… but also recyclable if you somehow manage to destroy it. I like to send my daughter to school with her lunch and snacks in steel containers. However, I don’t like storing food in the fridge with them because they are opaque… I often forget what is in them and then a few weeks open them up to find a smelly science experiment.
For storing in the fridge, I use glass or silicone containers. I lean towards silicone containers because they are lighter and I can chuck them into the freezer as well (which can be done with glass too, but they are so bulky and I don’t have a lot of freezer space). At this point, the production of silicone is a rather intense affair and it is not easily recycled, but because it is so durable and gets used for so long, I consider it a good eco solution.
In a nutshell, you really want to choose steel, glass and silicone containers for food and drinks. In terms of health and safety, you will rest assured that chemicals are not leaching into your food.. no phthalates, endocrine disruptors or cancer triggers. Steel, glass and silicone are dishwasher safe and handle hot and cold quite well. Steel and silicone do not shatter, crack or degrade like plastic does. Furthermore, steel and silicone are not porous like plastic; they easily wipe clean. In terms of the environment, steel and silicone containers will last much, much longer than a plastic container and so there is a lot less that will eventually end up in a landfill.
The biggest drawback of plastic container alternatives is the price. Plastic is cheap; the alternatives are more expensive. Over time, they will likely pay for themselves and can you ever really put a price on your health? If you can’t replace them all at once, go step by step, replacing them over time.
And wouldn't you know it, we have plenty of steel and silicone food containers! I am personally in love with the collapsible silicone containers and everything from Dalcini Stainless. Check out all the offerings here!