It is Hard to Believe, but the Labels “Organic” and “Natural” don’t necessarily translate into HEALTHY!

I just hit the send button on a rather ‘scathing’ email to Earth’s Best Inc., a well regarded company that produces an extensive line of organic products; specifically, organic baby formula. You see, I have been using Earth’s Best baby formula for my daughter since she was born. I selected this brand because the company is well regarded in the organic industry and I felt like I could trust that they were producing the best, highest quality organic formula for my child. Well, sadly, that wasn’t and isn’t the case.

Several months ago I found out that the cans that Earth Best packages the formula in are lined with an epoxy resin that contains Bisphenol A (BPA). Actually, a recent investigation by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has found that NEARLY ALL infant formulas are packaged in containers that contain the dangerous toxin bisphenol A. And yes, this is the same chemical that you have recently heard so much about in the news.

You see, bisophenol A (BPA) is not some inert chemical that our bodies will simply eliminate, BPA acts as an environmental estrogen and once it is ingested it can disrupt proper hormone functioning, alter genes and interfere with normal physical and behavioral development. "There is mounting scientific evidence that BPA is toxic, especially to children," said Aaron Freeman, policy director with Environmental Defense Canada. He also noted "Governments should be acting quickly, starting with a ban on BPA in food and beverage containers."

So, for me, it’s a pretty darn big deal; from my research, it’s not just children at risk, BPA exposure has been linked to both heart disease and diabetes in adults.

So let’s get to the facts, what exactly is BPA?

Bisphenol A (BPA) was first identified in the 1930s. In the 1950s, chemists linked BPA together to create polycarbonates and companies began using the chemical in plastics production. These plastics are found in many products such as refillable beverage containers, protective linings in food cans, plastic dinnerware, impact resistant safety equipment and epoxy resins. BPA is also used in the production of materials found in dental composites and sealants. The substance is now deeply imbedded in the manufacturing of a large amount of products in our modern society.

The list is endless when it comes to the products that have BPA in them. Bisphenol A has also been used as an inert ingredient in pesticides (although in the US this has apparently been halted), as a fungicide, antioxidant, flame retardant, rubber chemical, and polyvinyl chloride stabilizer.

Additionally, BPA can be found in "films, sheets, and laminations; reinforced pipes; floorings; water main filters; enamels and varnishes; adhesives; artificial teeth; nail polish; electric insulators; and as parts of automobiles, certain machines, tools, electrical appliances, and office automation instruments" (Takahashi and Oishi 2000).

Maybe I should have considered writing about what products don’t have BPA! I think the list would probably be a bit shorter! Even more frightening is that BPA is now one of the top 50 chemicals being produced in the US. Yes, the top 50 chemicals!

One of the most disconcerting pieces of information I have come across is that your potential exposure to BPA through canned and epoxy lined boxed food and drinks is considerably higher than through plastics. Almost every single canned food item you purchase, whether it is organic or not, is lined with BPA. Yikes! Of all foods tested, chicken soup, infant formula and ravioli had BPA levels of highest concern. Just one to three servings of foods with these concentrations could expose a woman or child to BPA at levels that caused serious adverse effects in animal tests. I was always conscious of the plastics that I used but I had no idea that the real threat is in the canned and boxed foods including baby formula!

Want to learn more? Click here to watch, We're Poisoned! - FDA is killing us *Plastics* Bisphenol-A. An interview with University of Missouri Professor Frederick vom Saal an expert in BPA and a leading researcher. Vom Saal and his team have managed to keep a spotlight on BPA safety for the past decade.

How does BPA get into your body?

The bonds in BPA are prone to leaching (falls apart from its parent compound) into the foods contained within the can/carton or plastic container that is lined or made with BPA. This takes place over time and is accelerated with heat. Recent studies have reported that over 93% of the population have been exposed to and have BPA in their bodies.

How does BPA affect me?

According to Environmentalcalifornia.org “More than 130 studies suggest that BPA exposure at very low doses is linked to a staggering number of health problems, including prostate and breast cancer, obesity, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, brain damage, altered immune system, lowered sperm counts, and early puberty.”

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Remember, just because it says “organic” or “natural” it doesn’t mean necessarily means Healthy! Do your research and protect yourself and your family!

Stay Well and Healthy,

Michelle