BPA: The Bad and the Ugly.. There is No Good

I have had a hard time figuring out how to start this essay, because I need to find a blend of addressing the severity of this issue, while also trying to keep calm.

If you are a frequent reader, you know that I have made it a goal to educate as many people as I can about two things: Bisphenol-A and media manipulation.  I am about to write about the convergence of the two: the minutes from a meeting held by major corporations, whose purpose was to discuss how best to change the perception of BPA, were released and they aren’t pretty.

In the meeting, which was attended by Coca-Cola, Grocery Manufacturer’s Association (a lobbying group), and Del Monte, amongst others, it was discussed how to get people to not believe the data that shows that BPA is harmful.  The strategy: FEAR.  But I will get to that in a moment.

I want to first remind everyone about Bisphenol-A, or BPA, as it is more commonly known.  This is an additive used in the manufacture of plastic and canned goods.  For plastic, it is used during the synthesis of the plastic into components like water and baby bottles, toys, to-go food containers, and other similar items.  In canned goods, it is used as a liner, to limit the contact between the food or drink item and the metal materials used to make the can.

BPA came onto the scene in the 1930’s and has grown to be a $6-10 billion industry.  Even though there were indications when it was first manufactured, growing concern of the effects to the body increased in the 1990’s.  This is when some of the first studies came to light about the possible estrogenic effects of the component onto the body.

Data is conclusive that BPA is a hormone mimicker.  This means when it enters our system, the body interprets it as estrogen and reacts accordingly.  This has increased cancers, created premature reproductive development, sterility, and the feminization of males.  It has a greater influence on the bodies of children, which is why having it in baby bottles and toys, makes it so detrimental.  They have found that BPA leaches into every product that is stored in the various containers, and is transferred to our bodies.  In fact, 95% of all Americans have BPA in their blood stream and urine.

There is a lot of conflict about the research into BPA, so I will try to make it as understandable as possible.  Everyone should know that BPA has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration.  Since that time, there have been independent research studies that call into question the data used in approval of the chemical.  Aside from conflicting results, more importantly, there is evidence of negligent activity on the part of the FDA.  First, they approved BPA using two non-multi-generational studies that were funded by the American Chemical Council, who are the same folks that make money off of BPA.  Secondly, the FDA also allowed the American Chemical Council to write the safety and efficacy reports affiliated with the approval documentation.  Bottom line, there are allegations that FDA knowingly approved an unsafe chemical because it best served corporate interest instead of citizen interest.

In light of the new evidence, and because of consumer awareness, many countries, including the United States, have or are looking into legislation that bans the use of BPA.  One catch, the are banning it in bottles.  Most people are unaware that BPA is used in canned goods; sodas, soups, canned fruits and vegetables.  These are all lined with BPA.

Which brings us to the topic at hand.

Last week, a meeting was held sponsored by the North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc.  Attendees, including Coca Cola and Del Monte, “discussed the need to be more proactive in communications to media, legislators, and the general public to protect industries that use BPA, prolong the life of BPA, put risks from chemicals in proper prospective, and transcend the media and the blogosphere.”

The meeting minutes were obtained and released by EnviroBlog and Environmental Working Group.  Excerpts are as follows:

- Attendees suggested using fear tactics (e.g. “Do you want to have
access to baby food anymore?”)

- The committee doubts obtaining a scientific spokesperson is attainable.  Their “holy grail” spokesperson would be a “pregnant young mother who would be willing to speak around the country about the benefits of BPA.”

- The members are focusing on more legislative battles and befriending people that are able to manipulate the legislative process.

- Focusing on the impact of BPA bans on minorities (Hispanic and African American) and poor is also important.

There is much more to the three page long minutes, but you get the idea.

Here it is, in black and white, big corporations discussing how to manipulate the consumers to use something that is harmful to themselves and their children because it might hurt their bank account.

Bottom line, I believe that these companies do not care about you.  When you see advertising, I think it is important for everyone to understand, that the executives have made the decision that the particular campaign is felt to be the most effective way to convince you to buy the product, so that they make more and more money, but they don’t really believe or stand behind that advertising.  It is manipulation to get you to buy, buy, buy.

And this is the most abhorrent version of that.  They are going to manipulate you and your family to putting poison into your body for the good of their pocket books.

Coca-Cola products:  Coke, Sprite, Dasani, MinuteMaid, Bacardi, Fanta, Dr. Pepper, Nestea

Del Monte: Del Monte, S&W, Contadina, 9Lives, MilkBone