Omar Khalid
Plastic containers are everywhere, and they are convenient, cheap, and almost impossible to avoid. However, there are concerns about the safety of using plastic containers, especially those containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical widely added to food plastics. BPA has been linked to neonatal and infant brain and reproductive harm, and it may also increase blood pressure. While new plastics are often labelled as BPA-free, what about the old plastic containers in your kitchen? How can you tell if they contain BPA? Well, opaque plastics are likely BPA-free, and you can also check for recycling symbols: avoid #3 and #7 plastics, as these may contain BPA. #2, #4, and #5 are generally considered safe. If you want to be absolutely sure, it's best to store food in glass containers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | Polypropylene (PP) or #5 plastic |
| BPA content | Does not contain BPA |
| Safety concerns | Estrogenic chemical leaching if reused repeatedly |
| Recommended use | Store food in glass containers only to ensure absolute safety |
| Alternative plastics | #1, 2, 4, or 5 |
| Precautions | Avoid high temperatures, microwaving, and storing hot food |
| New plastics | Usually BPA-free and labeled accordingly |
| Identification | Opaque plastics are likely BPA-free |
| Polycarbonate plastics | Hard, clear (or clear-tinted), unbreakable, and labeled with #7 |
| Disposal | Get rid of containers labeled as microwave-safe or unbreakable |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic yogurt containers are likely made of polypropylene (#5 plastic), which does not contain BPA
- Plastic #7 is the one that may contain BPA
- To identify BPA-free plastics, look for opaque plastics or recycling numbers 1, 2, 4, or 5
- Avoid plastics with recycling symbols 3 and 7, as those items may contain BPA
- BPA exposure is linked to neonatal and infant brain and reproductive harm, and it might increase blood pressure
Plastic yogurt containers are likely made of polypropylene (#5 plastic), which does not contain BPA
BPA, or bisphenol-A, is an estrogenic chemical that has been linked to potential health hazards. It is typically found in polycarbonate plastics, which are hard, clear or clear-tinted, and unbreakable. These types of plastics are often used in reusable water bottles, food storage containers, and baby bottles. While polycarbonate plastics are not the only ones that can contain BPA, they have received a lot of attention due to concerns over BPA leaching into food and beverages.
It is important to note that while polypropylene yogurt containers do not contain BPA, they may still release other chemicals if reused repeatedly. A study in Environmental Health Perspectives indicates that all types of plastics used in food containers can release estrogenic activators with repeated use. However, it is believed that the amounts released are too small to cause significant harm.
To ensure food safety and reduce the risk of chemical exposure, it is recommended to follow guidelines for plastic usage and maintenance. This includes avoiding extreme heat, such as microwaving or washing plastic containers in the dishwasher, as heat can intensify the release of chemicals. It is also important to discard any plastic containers that are scratched or damaged, as worn containers pose a higher risk of leaching chemicals.
Additionally, it is worth considering alternative materials for food storage. Glass, stainless steel, and lead-free ceramic containers are recommended as safer options that do not come with the same concerns about chemical leaching as plastics. These materials provide a more durable and environmentally friendly alternative to plastic containers.
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Plastic #7 is the one that may contain BPA
Plastic #7 is a catch-all term for the many different types of plastics not commonly collected in recycling programs. Polycarbonate is one of the many types of plastics that fall under the #7 category. Polycarbonate plastic is hard, clear or clear-tinted, and unbreakable, and it is the only type of #7 plastic that contains Bisphenol A (BPA).
BPA is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic, which has been used for nearly 100 years. It is an ultra-strong plastic used to make everything from unbreakable tableware and water storage containers to bulletproof glass.
There has been much discussion about the hazards of using plastic, especially related to BPA. According to the Mayo Clinic, BPA exposure can affect the brain and the prostate gland of fetuses, infants, and children, and it might increase blood pressure. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that BPA is safe at the low levels sometimes found in foods.
If you are concerned about BPA, the easiest way to avoid it is by not purchasing items made from polycarbonate plastic. Most manufacturers clearly label BPA-free products, so look for BPA-free labels when shopping. You can also look for products made from other types of #7 plastics that are BPA-free, such as acrylic, SAN/NAS, Tritan, polypropylene, and melamine.
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To identify BPA-free plastics, look for opaque plastics or recycling numbers 1, 2, 4, or 5
Plastic containers, especially those used for food, have been the subject of much discussion regarding their safety. This is due to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in a wide range of plastic products, including food storage containers and water bottles.
To identify if a plastic product is BPA-free, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, opaque plastics are generally BPA-free, so if you can't see through the plastic, that's a good indicator. If the plastic is hard, clear or clear-tinted, and unbreakable, it may contain BPA.
Secondly, look for recycling numbers on the bottom of the product. These are usually found within a triangle made of three arrows, also known as the recycling symbol. Numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 generally indicate that the plastic is BPA-free. Number 7 plastics may contain BPA, specifically polycarbonate plastics, but they are not the only type of plastic labelled with a 7, so further investigation is needed. Look for labels indicating 'unbreakable' or 'microwave-safe', which are indicators of BPA presence.
Additionally, products labelled as ''BPA-free' are the safest option, as they come into little contact with BPA during manufacturing. It is also important to note that plastic products manufactured before 2012 are more likely to contain BPA, as it was banned in common household items in 2012.
Yogurt containers are typically made of polypropylene (PP) or #5 plastic, which is BPA-free. However, it is important to note that a recent study indicates that all types of plastics used in food containers can release estrogenic activators if reused repeatedly. Therefore, it is recommended to use glass containers for food storage if absolute safety is a priority.
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Avoid plastics with recycling symbols 3 and 7, as those items may contain BPA
Plastic containers, including yoghurt pots, can contain harmful chemicals that leach into food and drinks, increasing exposure to substances linked to health concerns. One of these chemicals is bisphenol A, or BPA, an estrogenic chemical that can affect the brain, the prostate gland of foetuses, infants, and children, and might increase blood pressure.
The numbers 1–7 that appear in the centre of the recycling symbol on most plastic items are plastic recycling numbers. These numbers help identify and sort plastics for recycling. While not all #7 plastics contain BPA, it is best to avoid plastics with recycling symbols 3 and 7, as those items may contain BPA.
#7 plastic is a catch-all for all plastics that don't fit into the 1–6 categories. Polycarbonate is a #7 plastic and one of its building blocks is BPA. Manufacturers have been transitioning to BPA-free plastics, but certain substitutes might also disrupt endocrine function. To reduce exposure, it is advisable to avoid plastic containers marked #3, #6, or #7, especially when microwaving food or beverages.
To identify BPA-free plastics, opaque plastics are likely to be BPA-free. If the plastic is clear, hard, and unbreakable, it may contain BPA. If it is labelled as hand-wash only, it is probably made of acrylic and is therefore okay to keep.
It is important to note that even "safer" plastics can contain chemical additives that may not be well-tested for long-term health effects. To avoid this, opt for storage containers made of glass, stainless steel, or lead-free ceramic, and kitchen utensils made from wood, bamboo, or stainless steel.
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BPA exposure is linked to neonatal and infant brain and reproductive harm, and it might increase blood pressure
BPA, or bisphenol A, is a synthetic chemical commonly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is often found in plastic bottles and the inner coating of beverage cans, and as a result, human exposure to BPA is almost ubiquitous, with over 90% of North Americans having detectable urinary BPA levels.
BPA exposure is linked to neonatal and infant brain harm. It has been recognised as an endocrine-disrupting chemical and has suspected roles as a neurological and reproductive toxicant. It interferes with steroid signalling, induces oxidative stress, and affects gene expression epigenetically. Gestational, perinatal, and neonatal exposures to BPA affect developmental processes, including brain development and gametogenesis, with consequences on brain functions, behaviour, and fertility. Human epidemiological studies have reported adverse behavioural outcomes with BPA exposure in children, although the effects on children's brain structure have not yet been conclusively determined.
BPA exposure is also associated with reproductive harm. Studies have shown that BPA exposure can affect the release of GnRH, impair the production of reproductive hormones in adults, and directly impact reproductive tissues. This can lead to altered levels of circulating pituitary gonadotropins and sex steroids, as well as impaired gamete quality and fertility rates. In female rats, for example, neonatal exposure to BPA resulted in dose-dependent alterations in sexually dimorphic gene expression in the postnatal rat hypothalamus.
In addition, BPA exposure might increase blood pressure. Previous studies have associated BPA exposure with hypertension and decreased heart rate variability. A randomized crossover trial found that consuming canned beverages, which often have an inner coating containing BPA, led to a significant increase in systolic blood pressure compared to consuming glass-bottled beverages. The urinary BPA concentration increased by more than 1600% after consuming canned beverages, indicating a potential link between BPA exposure and increased blood pressure.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic yoghurt containers are generally safe to reuse. However, it is important to note that plastics can release chemicals into food, especially when exposed to heat. To be safe, only reuse plastic containers with the recycling numbers 1, 2, 4, or 5.
BPA is commonly found in polycarbonate plastics, which are usually hard, clear (or clear-tinted), and unbreakable. These plastics will usually have a recycling number 7 on them. Newer plastics are often BPA-free and labelled as such. Opaque plastics are also likely to be BPA-free.
BPA exposure has been linked to several health issues, including potential harm to the brain and reproductive system of fetuses, infants, and children. It may also increase blood pressure.
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