What Does 'BPA Free' Mean?

BPA, or to give it it's full name Bisphenol A, is a chemical found in hard plastics and the internal coatings of food and drinks cans. BPA is used to make such things as water bottles, dental fillings, lenses for spectacles, DVDs and CDs, household electronic and sports equipment.

When food containers products such as Lock & Lock, OXO Good Grips POP Containers and Stewart Plastics state they are BPA free you can rest assured that you can use the food containers without risk.

Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor - a substance which interferes with
the production, secreetion, transport, action, function and elimination of natural hormones. The chemical behaves in a similar way to estrogen and other hormones in the human body.

To avoid exposure many consumer groups have advised not to eat
or drink from cans unless labelled BPA free . You should not microwave foods in plastic containers and not place plastic containers in the dishwasher or clean them with harsh detergents if you are in any way doubtful about them.

For more details on BPA there are many useful sites on the Web.