tupper-scare.

Tupperware is no doubt a leader in the plastic storage industry. My mother used it and my mother's mother used it. But these pretty, durable containers we know and love are all made of BPA. The great thing is that we are armed with the information that they didn't have. And we can create change.

I loved it more than anyone (yes, even the parties-- actually, especially the parties) but I parted with it. There ARE alternatives. And the most frustrating thing is that they are just sitting back and saying it doesn't exist rather than being proactive in changing and promoting the safety of our kids. Putting it in the garbage was truly like saying goodbye to an old friend (an expensive one at that!). But I knew it was the best thing for me and mine.

It's hit the news all over again. And Stand Up 2 Cancer reminded me again that it's an important issue. And as long as my kids aren't eating off your plastic, I respect your opinion.

From Tupperware's Website:

"Reports have appeared recently in the media that polycarbonate containers are unsafe for use in food contact applications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found this material to be safe. Polycarbonate is a high-strength plastic made from a monomer known as bisphenol-A (BPA). Certain Tupperware products are made from polycarbonate, including serving products and Rock 'N Serve? storage and cooking containers. However, polycarbonate is NOT used in Tupperware baby bottles or toys.

Bisphenol-A has been an approved substance for use in food contact products for decades. Governmental regulatory agencies around the world, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada, the European Food Safety Agency, the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency and the Japanese Ministry for Health, Labor and Welfare have all approved the material. Over the last ten years, other scientists have raised concerns over the substance, including the amount which migrates out of the products during heating. These governmental agencies have reconfirmed the safety of the material during this period. Tupperware also has conducted migration studies of bisphenol-A from its products using independent testing laboratories, and found the migration levels to be within acceptable levels, as specified by the Governmental regulatory agencies."


From The Associated Press, Wednesday, September 3, 2008:

"WASHINGTON - Government toxicologists have reiterated safety concerns about a chemical used in baby bottles and food containers, just weeks after the Food and Drug Administration declared the substance safe.

A report issued Wednesday said there is "some concern" that bisphenol A can cause developmental problems in the brain and hormonal systems of infants and children."


From Toys R Us, Inc. (including Babies R Us):

"We already have taken the necessary steps with our manufacturers to phase out all baby bottles and other baby feeding products containing BPA. This process is ongoing and is expected to be completed before the end of 2008."


From The Washington Post (April 2008):

"Walmart will stop selling baby bottles made with the controversial chemical bisphenol A in its U.S. stores early next year, a spokesman said yesterday.

The world's largest retailer had announced that it was immediately halting sales of baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, food containers and water bottles made with BPA in its Canadian stores amid speculation that the country's health department would soon declare the chemical unsafe. Wal-Mart stores in this country will phase out plastic products with BPA more gradually, and are expected to stop selling them completely early next year."


From Fortune Magazine (July 2008):

"Whole Foods Market, which pulled BPA baby bottles and cups off its shelves several years ago; Eastman Chemical, which introduced a plastic alternative called Triton last year; and Born Free, a private company started in 2006 specifically to provide BPA-free baby bottles."


From The Washington Post (yesterday):

"The FDA plays a critical regulatory role because it regulates the compound's use in plastic food containers, bottles, tableware and the plastic linings of canned foods.

The agency last month issued a draft report that declared BPA safe for use in food packaging and bottles, based largely on the strength of two studies, both funded by industry.

'Unfortunately the regulatory agency charged with protecting the public health continues to rely on industry-based research to arrive at its conclusions, rather than examining the totality of scientific evidence,' Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said in a statement yesterday. His committee is investigating the FDA's handling of BPA.

More than 90 percent of the 100-plus government-funded studies performed by independent scientists found health effects from low doses of BPA, while none of the fewer than two dozen chemical-industry-funded studies did. "

Over 100 studies performed by government scientists and university laboratories confirm health concerns associated with BPA, including links to prostate and breast cancers, diabetes, behavioral disorders, and reproductive problems.


From Washington Post 2008:

"Ask any mother of a child if there is an adequate margin of safety for the things that she puts her child in contact with," said Liz Hitchcock, public health advocate for U.S. PIRG, a consumer advocacy group. "When you're talking about the stuff that's going to carry your child's food into their body, you want the safest thing possible."


Tupperware, you suck. period.