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What Does BPA-Free in Plastic Mean?

BPA, or bisphenol A, is a chemical used in the manufacture of plastics, including plastic drinking bottles, baby bottles and sippy cups. Beginning in 2009, many states and cities began passing laws requiring bottles, cups and plates designed for children be manufactured without BPA in response to concern about BPA leaching into the child's food or beverage. BPA is believed to affect the brain as well as prostate glands and many people choose to avoid it.

  1. Why BPA Is Used in Plastic

    • BPA is the primary ingredient in polycarbonate plastic. This type of plastic can be made into a hard, durable and shatter-resistant shape, perfect for making children's cups, plates and adult drinking bottles. Because the hard plastic created through the use of BPA retained its shape but could be dropped without breaking, it was a natural choice to replace glass baby bottles.

    Concerns About BPA

    • BPA has become more and more prevalent in the environment and human exposure has continued to increase. The Endocrine Society has labeled BPA as an endocrine-disrupting chemical, and the National Toxicology Program states some concern about current levels of BPA exposure. Because BPA was commonly used in plastic containers that were microwaved or otherwise heated, it leached into food and drink at a level many people were uncomfortable with.

    Products Labeled BPA-Free

    • One way to avoid BPA in plastics is to avoid purchasing plastics labeled with a number 7 or 3 recycling symbol, as plastics with other recycling numbers do not use BPA in their manufacture. However, many manufacturers currently label their plastics as BPA-free. The major producers of baby bottles and toddler cups ceased manufacturing products containing BPA as of January 2009, but cups, containers and plates made of hard plastic and designed for adult use may still contain BPA unless labeled BPA-free.

    Older Plastics

    • Older baby bottles or cups may not have the original packaging to determine if the plastic is BPA free. If in doubt, check the recycling label, if the bottle or cup has one imprinted on it. Regardless of BPA content, badly scratched or scuffed old plastic bottles cups should not be reused as the scratches can harbor germs. The scratches can also contribute to the leaching of BPA into food or drink, but the primary cause of BPA release from old plastics is heating. Do not microwave or heat food or liquids in plastic of unknown origin if you are concerned about BPA ingestion.

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