Plastic is everywhere: in bags, bottles, containers and, inevitably, in our bodies and those of our children. Most people know that plastic is harmful to the environment, but too many still believe that its contact with food and drink is safe, especially if the packaging carries the label "BPA-free".
Unfortunately, that is not true.
What is plastic really?
Plastic is a petrochemical product, made from the same crude oil as petrol. It is not an inert material; on the contrary, it is highly reactive. When plastic is heated, scratched or exposed to the sun, it releases chemical substances directly into the contents. Numerous studies have confirmed this reality in recent years.
"BPA-free" is often just a commercial operation
When it was proven that bisphenol A (BPA) acts as an endocrine disruptor, altering the hormonal system and increasing health risks, authorities banned its use in baby bottles. Manufacturers reacted quickly, replacing BPA with other similar substances such as BPS or BPF.
The result? Products labelled "BPA-free" that are not necessarily safer.
Professor Nancy Wayne, from the UCLA School of Medicine, has been studying these effects for years and her conclusion is unequivocal: "BPA-free is just a marketing strategy." Companies replace one harmful substance with another to stay on the market, not to protect our health.
What do the most recent studies reveal?
BPA alternatives affect the body just as negatively as the original substance:
- Hormonal hyperstimulation: The number of endocrine neurons can increase by up to 40%.
- Risks during pregnancy: Chemical changes can favour premature births.
- Intergenerational damage: These substances can damage reproductive cells, affecting up to three future generations.
- Brain development: Both BPA and BPS affect thyroid hormones, which are fundamental for the development of the foetal brain.
Profit before health
Chemical companies make billions from plastic. It is cheaper and easier to produce than truly plastic-free alternatives. That is the only real reason why it is still used so massively.
Be very careful: many steel or glass products sold as "plastic-free" still contain plastic in lids, straws or internal linings. Do not be deceived:
- Hidden technical names: PP, PP #5, polypropylene or Tritan® are, in effect, plastic.
- Promises of "non-toxic": Plastic without BPA continues to release substances that alter hormonal balance.
- Steel only on the outside: If the drink touches an internal plastic lining, the steel structure is purely decorative.
Expert advice: choose the natural option
In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics was categorical: "Use plastic-free alternatives." International institutions and media continue to warn about the risks of constant exposure to microplastics and chemical additives.
What can you do?
Eliminating plastic completely today is difficult, but you can eliminate the most critical sources: those linked to your children's nutrition. Stainless steel and glass are the only materials that are 100% plastic-free. It is a small daily choice with an enormous impact on the future.
Sources used in the article:
- UCLA School of Medicine – Dr. Nancy Wayne – Endocrine Disruption Exchange
- American Academy of Pediatrics – "Food Additives and Child Health" (July 2018)
