As we've discussed before here on CL Green, simply put, BPA (Bisphenol-A) is bad. It's often found in the plastic lining of canned foods and drinks, and leaches ends up leaching into them, and thus we consume it. BPA has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, reproductive issues, as well as brain development and behavior issues in young children. Even though the EU and Canada have deemed it a toxic substance and have banned its use in baby bottles, our government doesn't feel the same way and voted against a ban on BPA earlier this year.
Thankfully, some food companies in the US are taking action and have stopped the use of BPA in the lining of their canned food and drink products. Others say they're going to start phasing it out, while some are completely ignoring the studies and continuing to use it.
Earlier this year, Green Century Funds, founded by a partnership of non-profit environmental advocacy organizations, released a report called "Seeking Safer Packaging" where they graded 26 major US food brands on their BPA policies.
This article appears in Dec 9-15, 2010.