FDA ignores science, digs in heels on plastic leaching
The debate rages on about the safety of bisphenol A leaching out of plastic containers into liquids and foods. Frankly, I don't see what the debate's about. Do the naysayers need a piece of evidence with a side of sledgehammer?
You won't need a paramedic to revive you when you hear that the FDA came down — yet again — on the side of the chemical manufacturers. But there are an awful lot of docs – myself included – who haven't been swayed by the FDA's position and continue to be concerned about bisphenol A's links to heart disease and diabetes.
In other words, the FDA is blowing against the wind of opinion on this one. Once the evidence started to build against this class of chemicals, some manufacturers and retailers started pulling any plastic products that contained bisphenols. Various states discussed implementing legislative bans.
The Canadian health ministry just this year announced its intention to ban the import and sale of polycarbonate baby bottles with bisphenol A. The Canadian authorities acknowledged the chemical risk from leaching may be low, but it was more of a chance than they were willing to take with vulnerable infants.
Makes sense, right? By contrast, here's what the good ol' American FDA did.
The FDA relied on two industry-sponsored studies that had indicated bisphenol A was "safe." FDA scientists said the amounts of bisphenol A that leach out of food containers are not a threat to infants or adults, but acknowledged the need for more study.
My question is, what good is more study going to do? Bisphenols have been used commercially in the manufacture of plastics for a half-century. And just as long as bisphenols have been out on the market, there have been studies about their health risks, particularly when leaching occurs. Bisphenols have been implicated – not exonerated – by this research.
The bottom line here, as always, is don't wait for the FDA to protect you. I tell parents, if they must use plastic bottles, take steps to avoid leaching: Don't microwave the bottles, discard them when they become scratched, and don't store breast milk or formula in them.
But the better solution, of course, is to stick with glass or ceramic containers for your children and for yourself.
