DOES FOOD CONTAINERS AND BOTTLE TUMBLER ARE SAFE AND USER FRIENDLY?

Souce: Freepik

by Nur Farah Hazwani

There are many companies produce containers and tumbler nowadays plus it comes with a lot of designs and shapes. Due to covid-19, I believed there a few groups of people already bought their own containers to pack up foods and beverages because they are very particular about the hygiene. But the question now is, do you think your containers and tumbler is safe for daily used? Because in the market there are many brands that you can choose from. But how far do you know what is made up for your container and tumblers? We can see majority of the brands producing containers and tumbler made out from PLASTIC. We know how far plastic can harm maritime life but how about the safety of people for using it? 

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT BPA?   

BPA stands for bisphenol A is a carbon-based. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Usually it’s used in everything from shatter-resistant plastic water bottles and food storage containers to canned food and even in coffee cans. According to Buiced liquid some research has shown that BPA can seep into food or beverages from containers that are made with BPA [1]. Exposure to BPA chemical can caused widespread damage throughout our bodies for instance is give effects to our brain, behaviour, prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children.  

Source: South Beach Diet

BPA effects towards male also include damages to adult sperm such as sperm count, motility and density. It also caused negative impacts to the embryo, such as feminization of male foetuses and increased prostate size. In addition, BPA also prevents proper embryo thyroid development. Men occupationally exposed to BPA had high blood/urinary BPA levels, and abnormal semen parameters [2].

Women are also affected. A 2013 study from Jilin Medical College in China, found that “long-term exposure of female mammalians to BPA can lead to endocrine disorders, followed by the morphological and functional changes in ovary, uterus, vagina, and oviducts,” which have been linked to cause fertility issues. And these negative effects are seen in women who get pregnant naturally, as well as those who are trying to get pregnant via in-vitro fertilization (IVF) [3].

However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that BPA is safe at the very low levels that occur in some foods [4]. If you concern about BPA, you can take this few action to reduce the using of BPA:

• Use BPA-free products. Manufacturers are creating more and more BPA-free products. Look for products labelled as BPA-free. If a product isn't labelled, keep in mind that some, but not all plastics marked with recycle codes 3 or 7 may be made with BPA.

• Cut back on cans. Reduce your use of canned foods.

• Avoid heat. Don't put polycarbonate plastics in the microwave or dishwasher, because the heat may break them down over time and allow BPA to leach into foods.

• Use alternatives. Use glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers for hot foods and liquids instead of plastic containers.  

Moreover, according to Harvard Medical School they found BPA issue is controversial because toxicological research team has added to the uncertainty about how dangerous this chemical really is. At the same time, Professor at Dept. of Environmental Health Harvard School of Public Health mentioned to limit the using of BPA. As individuals, we can lower our exposure by eating less canned food and more fresh fruits and vegetables, which is always a good thing. Parents can buy products that aren't made of polycarbonate. You can also switch from polycarbonate water bottles to stainless steel ones [5].

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WHAT ABOUT BPA-FREE?

Source: JSTOR daily

When the answer for BPA found controversial, majority of companies right now produce a BPA-FREE plastics. A product that is BPA- free is one which does not use the organic compound Bisphenol A in its construction [1]. The "BPA-free" labels on plastic bottles serve as a reassurance that the product is safe to drink out of [6]. According to research add onto growing evidence that BPA-free alternatives may not be as safe as consumers think. Researchers found that in mice, BPA replacements caused decreased sperm counts and less-viable eggs. Though this research was done on mice, the researchers think the results could hold true for humans [7]. However, more research would be needed to confirm. BPA-FREE product including baby bottles, plastic plates and cutlery, storage containers and drink bottles.

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I believed on this level, people will more confused at the safety level of BPA and BPA-FREE. Both are reached to the end of dangerous. In my opinion, I suggested people to purchase products made from nature such as metal straw or wooden spoon for lower concern about the dangerous of using plastics. For baby products, now there a lot of companies produce baby needs in high quality such as Hippikiddo. I believed there are providing customers with their personnel to assist you and suggested good products. By invests more cost towards the items should not be a problem if you wanted the best for your life. So parents should not be worried anymore regarding your kids healthy. 

Source: Carousell

1.      Buiced liquid. Buiced liquid is BPA-Free. Retrieved from https://www.buiced.com/pages/bpa-free

2.      July 16, 2018. Dr. Josh Axe.BPA Toxic Effects & Symptoms: How BPA Destroys Your Body. Retrieved from https://draxe.com/health/bpa-toxic-effects/

3.      2013. Pei-pei Yan. [Effects of Bisphenol A on the Female Reproductive Organs and Their Mechanisms]. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24382250/

4.      Brent A. Bauer, M.D. What is BPA, and what are the concerns about BPA? Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331   

5.       December 2011. Harvard Health Letter. Ask the doctor: Should I worry about health effects from BPA? Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/should-i-worry-about-health-effects-from-bpa

6.       September 18, 2018. Yasemin Saplakoglu. Scientists Warn BPA-Free Plastic May Not Be Safe. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/63592-bpa-free-plastic-dangers.html

7.       September 24, 2018.Tegan S.Horan. Replacement Bisphenols Adversely Affect Mouse Gametogenesis with Consequences for Subsequent Generations. Retrieved from https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(18)30861-3