EDEN Beans Earn Prestigious Thumbs Up

Eden Foods: "Since 1999 Eden has worked with Ball Corporation to obtain cans free of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol-A. These cans cost 14% more than the industry standard, but are essential in protecting the health of our bodies and the environment."

Lawmakers hear proposal to ban chemical from plastic bottles | Seattle Times Newspaper Blog

Seattle Times Newspaper Blog: "A measure that would ban bisphenol A, known as BPA, from food or drink containers for children age 3 and younger faced scrutiny in Olympia this morning.

The Federal Drug Administration studied the chemical last year and determined that trace amounts of BPA can be released from food containers or drink bottles, but the levels aren't dangerous. The U.S. has not banned the chemical.

Last year, Canada banned BPA in baby bottles.

BPA is a key ingredient in hard plastics used in numerous products, including CDs, DVDs, sports bottles and reusable food and drink containers."

In Olympia today, grocers, can manufacturers, seafood processors and the Association of Washington Businesses testified against the ban, saying the plastic containers are safe and that the chemical provided a less expensive way for them to business.

The House measure heard this morning would ban BPA from bottles, cups or other containers designed to be used by children 3 or younger. If the proposal passes the ban would start in July 2010.

Menace or myth: Bisphenol A

packagingnews.co.uk: "Concern over Bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics was reported to be driving growth in the bag-in-box market as companies look for alternatives to the traditional plastic bottle. So, should the public be concerned about BPA?

Myth
Firstly, PET bottles do not contain Bisphenol A. British Plastic Federation senior executive of public affairs Anthony Roberts said he was not aware of any wider trend towards the specification of packaging that does not use BPA.

He said the avoidance of BPA on the basis of health concerns flies in the face of a large body of scientific evidence, which has shown the use of BPA in consumer products to be entirely safe.

Roberts also highlighted that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has confirmed BPA is safe and poses no known risks to human health."

MINNESOTA POLITICS: Senate recount

Grand Forks Herald : "Bisphenol safety: A Democratic state senator is pushing legislation that would ban a certain chemical from products for young children.

Sen. Sandy Rummel of White Bear Lake said Minnesota is one of more than a dozen states considering bills regulating bisphenol-A. Rummel’s bill would apply to things like toys, bottles and infant formula packaging designed for children younger than age 3.

Some scientists believe exposure to even trace amounts of bisphenol-A can harm people, though other studies have concluded that the chemical is safe.

On Monday, members of two different Senate committees heard testimony on the bill.

One scientist urged lawmakers to pass it, citing studies of mice that showed health problems after exposure to the chemical."

From the Chat: BPA in Tomato Cans - washingtonpost.com

washingtonpost.com: "Anonymous: Do you know of any brand of canned tomatoes that does not use bisphenol A in the can linings?

Joe Yonan: No."

BPA, used in the 1930s as a synthetic estrogen, is a component of plastic resins that can leach from can linings into food, especially during high-heat processing. Although studies have disagreed on the risk of consumption, some have shown effects in animals, including early puberty, increased risk for some cancers and altered behaviors, according to Gary Ginsberg, co-author of "What's Toxic, What's Not" (Berkley Books, 2006).

The Environmental Working Group has been surveying and lobbying manufacturers and suppliers about the BPA in their can linings, says senior analyst Sonya Lunder. She and Ginsberg say that the only company using an alternative, vegetable-based liner is Eden Organic, and that's just for beans.

Tomatoes are quite acidic, and that breaks down the vegetable-based liner, she and Ginsberg say. For tomato lovers who are concerned about BPA, the two say that the best option is to look for tomato products in glass jars, such as those made by Bionaturae, or in aseptic packaging, such as Pomi brand.

Health Care Panel Seeks BPA Ban in Minnesota

MyFox Twin Citie: "A Minnesota Senate health care panel is gathering at the State Capitol on Monday in a push to get the chemical BPA banned from use in everyday plastics.

A bill would prohibit bisphenol-A, commonly known as BPA, from being put into plastic children’s toys, bottles and other products."

The BPA Issue

Naturally Knocked Up:: "Limit canned food consumption. You're thinking 'a can isn't plastic!' Right? Well, to keep the chemicals of cheap cans from leaching into our foods, they line them with - you guessed it. Plastic. And it's plastic that contains BPA. So try not buy food in glass jars and not cans. (canned soups and pastas seemed to have the highest amount)"