Are plastic food storage containers safe?

There is a lot of chatter and concern about the safety of plastic storage containers these days. It seems that there have been some recent studies suggesting that when plastic comes in contact with certain foods, molecules of the chemicals in the plastic can leach into the food. Some sources swear plastic is safe….some are convinced dangerous substances like BPA and phthalate are leaching into our food, and some sources think select types of plastic are okay while others are harmful. Ahh!!

It’s a little scary and confusing, huh? Well…thankfully there IS an alternative! I’m transitioning to Pyrex glass storage containers. I think they’re great. I don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into my food and heating up leftovers is a cinch! Depending on the type of leftovers, I either take the lid off (the lids are plastic and microwaving plastic=bad) and microwave with a piece of parchment paper on top, or pop it in the toaster oven on bake. They even make tiny ones which would be great to store small portions for the small people in your house.

Earth Mama Angel Baby fabulous and phthalate free!!

I contacted Earth Mama Angel Baby to ask if they could provide me with sample products since they get such low numbers on the Environmental Working Group website, Skin Deep. Unlike the SATs a low number is a GOOD thing in this case! The person, Suzanne, I emailed with was SO nice and sent me some products which I can’t wait to try out!! Their website is beautiful and cozy and their products are innovative and fun! I just got the products in the mail yesterday so I’ll be reporting on them soon, but they forwarded me this recent press release about their products being phthalate free which I wanted to share.

NO PHTHALATES IN ANY EARTH MAMA ANGEL BABY® PRODUCTS

Founder Melinda Olson Pledges Not Now, Not Ever to Dangerous Chemicals
February 4, 2008 – Clackamas, OR – Representatives from Earth Mama Angel Baby®
announced today that none of their products has ever included phthalates and pledged
that the company would never include phthalates in the future. “Due to the study
released today by Pediatrics, I wanted to reassure all of my customers that Earth Mama
Angel Baby® has never used any ingredient containing phthalates. And I promise you,
we never will,” said Melinda Olson, founder of Earth Mama Angel Baby®, a
manufacturer of organic, all natural products for pregnancy, delivery and baby care.
Olson added that evidence that phthalates are harmful has been out for some time.
“Phthalates are often hidden on ingredient lists,” explained Olson. “Artificial fragrances,
which often contain phthalates, are exactly the type of ingredient that we would never
consider using. We publish on our web site and on every label a complete list of every
ingredient. I believe that our mamas should be able to buy our products and feel safe
using them on their biggest miracles – their angel babies.”
The study in question was released in the February issue of Pediatrics, and is available
online at the publication’s website. The research concluded that phthalate exposure was
detected in every baby studied, and that over 80 percent of the babies studied had
exposure to seven or more phthalates. In addition, those performing the study pointed
to use of baby shampoo, lotion and baby powder as the source of higher concentrations
of phthalates in the babies’ systems. Even more alarming, the findings were strongest
for babies younger than eight months who may be more susceptible to developmental
and reproductive toxins.
Phthalates are synthetic chemicals commonly found in PVC plastics, cosmetics,
personal care products (as fixatives, binders and solvents) and plastic toys. Most major
retailers have now banned the use of phthalates in toys and other products sold for
children, because of the exposure as children suck on teething rings and other toys with
the chemicals.
“This study specifically points the finger at artificial fragrances in personal care
products,” said Olson. “Artificial fragrances stay on your skin much longer than pure
essential oils – in part because of the presence of chemical additives such as
phthalates. These are on a long list of ingredients that our company has never, and will
never, use in our products. Manufacturing pure, safe, organic products for mamas and
babies has always been our #1 concern. We encourage everyone to be educated about
what they put in and on their bodies, especially when carrying a precious new baby.”

Phthalates are everywhere (not just teethers!) and it’s awesome to know that Earth Mama Angel Baby is committed to  keeping them OUT of their products.

Gerber response to BPA in their products

So… I’ve been doing all this research about BPA and phthalates and I am just stunned by Gerber’s response to my question about BPA in their products. I decided I need to share it. Other companies have been happy to share the information with me and seem to genuinely have an interest in finding alternatives to BPA and phthalates.

I will post their response below and let you make your own decision…

Thank you for your e-mail.

Safety is our top priority at Gerber Products Company, and we have a 79-year history of helping parents raise happy, healthy babies.

We are aware of recent media reports focusing on polycarbonate and Bisphenol A (BPA). Bisphenol A is a key component used to make polycarbonate plastic. We would like to help consumers understand why leading manufacturers of baby bottles, including Gerber, have concluded that polycarbonate is safe.

The US and Drug Administration (FDA) has considered relevant data available regarding the use of polycarbonate and has concluded that products made with polycarbonate are safe for use as intended.

Additionally, other leading scientific and regulatory authorities in Europe have concluded that the use of food contact polycarbonate for baby bottles is safe. In a recent letter to Fit Pregnancy magazine, the FDA stated that it sees no reason to ban or otherwise restrict the currently authorized food contact applications of polycarbonate.

Bisphenol-A is a key component used to make polycarbonate plastic.

The following Gerber cups are made of polycarbonate:
Premium Feeding System - Transition Cup 7 oz
Fun Grips® Soft Starter Spill-proof Cup
Little Suzy’s Zoo 2-handle Spill-proof Cup (6 oz)

The following Gerber cups and sports bottles are made of polypropylene:
Fun Grips® Spill-proof Cup (7 oz, 10 oz)
Fun Grips® Color Change Spill-proof Cup (7 oz, 10 oz)
Insulated Cool Cup (9 oz)
Sip & Smile Spill Proof Cups (7 oz, 10 oz)

Interchangeable hard spout lids are made of polyethylene.

Valves are made of polypropylene w/silicone valve.

Best wishes from your friends @ gerber.com.

hmmm…well….if BPA is okay….then why are all the other companies taking it out of their products?

Bright Starts Teethers

I contacted Bright Starts to ask them about their teethers this week. I had my fingers crossed that their teethers were BPA and phthalate free because Madeleine has been chewing on one for weeks! Seriously…shame on me for not checking sooner, but I was pleasantly surprised at their response. See below…

Hello Rebecca,

The plastic used for our clear teethers is called; EVA = Ethylene Vinyl Acetate

And our teethers are not filled with a gel; they are filled with sterilized water.

All of our products are phthalate; PVC, BPA and Latex free.

Please let me know if I can assist you with anything else.

Thank you,
Angela

Angela L. Tuttle

Consumer Services Temp
770.751.0442

It was refreshing to get this response. I have been writing to a lot of the companies (I’ll be posting their responses) and getting mixed messages and confusing answers about which of their products are BPA free and phthalate free. I wrote back and commended them for their efforts to keep our kids safe!