What can we do about Bisphenol-A? First and foremost we have to be smart enough to not fall for the scare tactics and guilt trips the canned food industry are intent on unleashing on us.
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
~Mother Teresa
In this case I think our anonymous leak of the industry minutes cast the stone and mamas are making the ripples! Since the first story ran, so many bloggers are voicing their opinions and taking their stands. Bloggers that are often called “mommy bloggers” have power beyond compare all united by a fierce love for the children and the need to protect them. For myself, I know that I would walk to the ends of the earth and back for my children. I am sure that every last one of the mamas blogging to expose the truth about the harm BPA has, is, and will continue to do to our little ones if nothing is done will tell you the same thing.
So what can we do?
Continue to make ripples! Let’s spread this message far and wide. I spoke with several friends about this today, hoping that they can start looking at their everyday choices and look and see where they can start to avoid BPA, hoping that they will talk to their friends and family about doing the very same thing, and hoping that we can start sending the message to the industry that we will not be silenced by scare tactics, we will not be swayed by an industry spokesperson no matter how cute and pregnant she may be, and we will not sit idly by while the FDA continues to try to convince us that BPA is safe using faulty studies. We can make a difference, now we need to stand up and fight. Who is ready to take this on?
Use your spending power! This is huge and speaks loud and clear what we are willing to pull out our wallets for and what needs to be pulled from the shelves. We did it with baby bottles, now let’s continue on…
10 Ways to Avoid BPA:
- Buy fresh, frozen, dried, or glass jarred foods and beverages. (No cans and no polycarbonate or #7 plastic)
- Use glass bottles, dishes, and food storage containers for you and baby.
- Avoid PVC in plastic, look for the #3 symbol in the recycling triangle.
- Check your infant formula, most metal cans are lined with BPA.
- Choose your toys carefully, look for wooden or organic fabrics.
- Do not microwave any plastic food containers or dishes you might have.
- Minimize leaching from old, plastic dishes, bottles, or containers by discarding scratched items and handwashing as the harsh detergents of the dishwasher can cause more chemicals to leach into your food.
- Start drinking filtered tap water, instead of bottled (it’s ofetn tap water anyway!) Stainless steel water bottles are great for on the go.
- Check with your dentist to make sure any fillings are BPA-free.
- Avoid using plastic wrap for food storage and make sure to never put it in the microwave.
Now, although there may not be a way to completely avoid BPA, there are ways to minimize our exposure. The most precautions shuld be especially taken with the most vulnerable of us all, children and pregnant women.
There is some good news that has come out of this already. The California State Senate passed the Toxics-Free Babies and Toddlers Act on June 2, which will ban BPA from food and drink containers for children under three. Also the House Committee of Energy and Commerce has been investigting BPA’s safety and has asked the FDA to do the same. The Committee is also putting some pressure on the Chairman of the North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc. (NAMPA). One can only hope something significant will come from this.
If you live in California, consider contacting your state senators and speak to them about how important the Toxics-Free Babies and Toddlers Act is to you.
If your representative is on the Committee of Energy Commerce, consider contacting them with your support in their efforts to investigate the safety of Bisphenol-A and continue to keep the issue in the forefront.
Above all else, write letters/e-mails, make phone calls, talk in person to friends, family, legislators, and industry to show just how many ripples we can make.
A man’s work is from sun to sun, but a mother’s work is never done.
~Author Unknown