BPA (bisphenol A) in Canned Goods (the horror, even Annie's)-

Today as I looked in my pantry, and saw the Annie's Spaghettios and the soups, I wondered again how much BPA I am feeding my family. I picked up the phone, and called Annie's, Inc., a company who I support endlessly by buying their macaroni and cheese, other pastas, and yes, canned foods. I try, I really do, but there are days with two kids, and not much of an affection for cooking (to say the least), where I just need to open a can. I think, at least it is organic.

So I called and a cheerful woman told me that their cans do have BPA, and that they do not exceed the FDA's standards on BPA in cans. After some thought, this statement didn't impress me too much. The FDA's limits don't take into account research about low doses of BPA that came out in the 1990s, which are discussed in this article on the Organic Consumers Association website, first printed in Terrain Magazine.

She did tell me, however, that they are working hard to find an alternative to BPA linings. Okay. So we wait. But something about the above referenced article really stuck with me. Here it is:

"In 1997, it was discovered that low levels of BPA produced harmful effects in male mice exposed in the womb, enlarging the prostate and lowering sperm count. What was most unexpected-and alarming-was that low-dose experiments produced worse effects in the mice than high-dose. Since then, nearly a hundred studies have shown BPA to be toxic in low doses on animals, producing such effects as insulin resistance, damaged DNA, miscarriage, decreased testosterone levels, early puberty, and the production of breast cancer and prostate cancer precursor cells.

Other tests suggest that some people, due to specific genetic makeup, may have a harder time ridding BPA from their bodies, which could make them more susceptible to BPA's toxic effects. These effects are most dangerous to pregnant women, babies, and young children. For example, in one Japanese study, women who had frequent miscarriages were found to have higher levels of BPA in their bloodstream than women who could carry pregnancies to term. In general, the hormone-unbalancing effects of BPA are not diagnosable as BPA exposure; rather, they may show up as early onset of puberty, reduced fertility, type II diabetes, and an increased risk of cancer. The rise of cancer rates over the last few decades is correlated with the increased use of BPA in industry, although cause and effect is difficult to prove since BPA joins a long list of possible culprits."

I added the bold, because I have never read an article about this (and I have read many) that said this so clearly. If there was ever a reason for us as a nation to prescribe to a precautionary principal when dealing with chemicals in our kids' bodies, this is it.

So, Annie's, and other organic food companies, please get to it. I want to support you, and feed my kids convenient, healthy food. I can't cook from scratch all the time, I will go insane. My patience is thin and our kids' bodies are at risk.

(As I noted in an earlier post, Eden foods canned beans do not contain BPA, but unfortunately their canned tomato products do.)

The Seventh Generation Response to the 1,4 Dioxane Report-

I have many reasons to trust and love Seventh Generation products. They are a Vermont company. They are active in environmental health and sustainability issues. They are committed to reducing the many environmental problems of harsh chemicals in our waterways with their thoughtful line of products. Did I mention they are a Vermont company?

So I was very surprised to learn that they had undisclosed amounts of a carcinogenic contaminant (say that 5 times fast) called 1,4 Dioxane in their dish soap. Dish soap I use everyday.

Now, I do have faith in this company, and I knew they would have a thoughtful response to this on their website somewhere. It just seemed fitting that they would discuss this issue openly with their customers. And they did. You'll see in this link a statement from the company about the situation. No, it doesn't make it okay that this ingredient was in their product, and that it took a third party test to discover it. But on the Seventh Generation blog you will read the science behind using a process to make plant oils into something that can scrub oil off your dishes, why using this process is better than using petroleum based ingredients, and what the rest of the industry is doing.

You can bet they will be (and have been) working tirelessly on ways to make sure 1,4 Dioxane is not in their dish soap or other products.

There was also a lively discussion in the comments about what other undisclosed ingredients are in cleaning products. Read the compelling thoughts by a Seventh Generation employee from the comments:

"Finally, this issue needs to be put in perspective. What conventional cleaning product divulges what surfactants they use for cleaning? Perhaps NPEs? Or which solvent they use for their synthetic fragrances? Perhaps phthalates? Or which solvents they use to cut grease? Perhaps butoxyethanol?

When you look at the back of a Seventh Generation label you see each ingredient we use, expressed in consumer-friendly terms. And if you go to our website, you see them listed using their chemical name and CAS number. This is disclosure beyond that of any other company in the household products industry.

This is not a perfect world. If it were, there would be no need for change, no need for evolution. Seventh Generation products, and our communications, change over time because we are not perfect. We are evolving. And we will provide products that are as safe for you, your family, and the environment, and that are as effective as we can make them."

Stay tuned. And for the record, buying green products is still the most environmentally responsible thing to do. Sure, there are these problems, but the chemicals in conventional cleaning products (and personal care products) are significantly more damaging to our water, and our bodies.

Here is a recent L.A. Times article about 1,4 Dioxane in "natural" and "organic" products.

Metal Water Bottles Recalled for Lead Paint-

You try and try to do the right thing as a parent. I've often commented that it feels like being a tiny fish swimming upstream, trying to navigate what to buy and use with your kids, while protecting them from rampant advertising, toxic chemicals and in many cases, themselves (as they dive headfirst of the couch).

Many parents are buying aluminum or stainless steel water bottles for their kids, because of all the media attention and studies about the chemical BPA (Bisphenol A)in certain plastics. So you go out and buy one from a seemingly harmless company with a quaint name out of Maine, called Downeast Concepts.

They look like the Sigg bottles, but they most definitely are not. These bottles have been recalled for violating the lead paint standards. Here is the recall from the CPSC. See the above picture, and be sure to visit the link above for more detailed information.

My daughters use Sigg bottles, and the company seems to have a strong environmental commitment and a pledge to not use BPA, but another good option, if you don't want to use BPA free plastic, is the Kleen Kanteen line of bottles. They are made with stainless steel, with no paint and no linings.

The Baby Gizmo Buying Guide, by Heather Maclean and Hollie Schultz--

When I was pregnant with my first daughter, a couple that we were good friends with were also expecting. After talking to folks they knew who had kids, my friend carefully crafted a "must get" list for baby. He promptly sent me a copy of this hand scrawled list, with his researched picks in many categories, and with a minimalist sensibility that we agreed on. This was a good start.

Fast forward a few years and now I'm the one being asked what to get when expecting, and I usually feel woefully inadequate when making my list. Sure, it has some good items that worked well for us. But it is lacking in details, and specificity.

That's where is new book, called the Baby Gizmo Buying Guide, by Heather Maclean and Hollie Schultz comes in.

Keep in mind that I am a proponent of hand me downs, consignment stores and buying less. It doesn't have to be an all out consumer fest as many folks would like you to believe.

But there are some things you can't get around when buying for a baby. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, and want to know the skinny on all types of baby gear, then this is the book for you. It is seriously girthy, and has some outstanding features for sleep deprived and spacey pregnant people. Such as--

*a whole first chapter about product safety and recalls, including a list about what is safer to buy new, what products are unsafe

*there are drawings of each item for the visual learner (sorry, that is the teacher in me), useful for in store situations

*there are some helpful charts in this book; one favorite is a height, weight, age and characteristics one that helps parents understand their babies needs and specs when making purchasing decisions

*I really like this: in each chapter, for each product, there is summary sidebar that shares the age range a baby might use the product, for how long, a recommendation if it is a must have, nice to have, or don't need item, and tips for when to buy a particular item.

The authors write these chapters with serious mama humor and wit. I may not agree with all their picks, opinions and preferences, but I was happy to see there are sidebar articles about chemicals in crib mattresses and baby bottles (although I myself am a wee bit more obsessed about these issues).

And there is a rockin' good appendix. How many times have you been out shopping (especially when pregnant) and completely forgot all the features to look for in a product, or what you were going to look for in the first place? There is a list of in store reminders to help you, with lists for each product. Now that is seriously helpful. What else? Their picks for what to register for, some cash saving measures, and a full glossary.

Now here is the fun part. You, dear Non-Toxic Kids reader, can win this book. I was contacted to review this book, and was given 9 copies to give away to you all. This is my first giveaway, so your chances are really good. All you need to do to enter is sign up to receive email updates from Non-Toxic Kids (you'll see the Feedblitz link on your left). Already receive email updates? No problem-- just tell me that in a comment to this post and I will add you to the list before I draw. Please enter before April 7. If you enter via comment, please leave a link to your email address so I can contact you if you win!