A few months ago, Congress announced that it would consider passing a bill to ban the use of bisphenol-A, or BPA, in food and drink containers.  But that bill will never see the light of day if a certain group of BPA advocates has their way. According to the Washington Post, manufacturers of cans for beverages and foods and some of their biggest customers have been meeting privately to discuss a strategy to block a federal ban of BPA.

 

BPA is added to plastics to make them stronger. It is commonly found in rigid plastic bottles and the linings of tin cans. Over the past decade, study after study has highlighted the dangers of BPA, linking the chemical to breast cancer, testicular cancer, diabetes, hyperactivity, obesity, heart disease, low sperm count, miscarriage and other reproductive problems.  

 

Last year, Canada banned the use of BPA in baby bottles and earlier this month, the city of Chicago became the first city in the nation to ban BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups. Several states have similar legislation pending. 

 

Instead of researching the alternatives (Japan has significantly reduced its use of BPA in many canned goods,) BPA advocates are hanging on to this sinking ship and spending their time and money to devise a strategy and public relations campaign that would silence these concerns about BPA. According to the article in the Washington Post, industry executives are weighing ideas that use financial fears and dated health information to dissuade people from choosing BPA-free packaging.

 

Do they really think that the public is stupid enough to fall for a pro-BPA campaign that turns a blind eye to science and plays on people's fears?They're betting $500K that we are. Let's prove 'em wrong.

 

 

Photo courtesy of m00by