GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK: PLASTIC LININGS IN CANS

After years of public protest and mounting scientific evidence, the government of Canada made a precedent-setting announcement by banning a known toxic chemical from baby bottles. The chemical, bisphenol A (BPA), is commonly found in plastic baby bottles, hard plastic sippy cups, reusable water bottles, the lining of some food cans, and dental sealants.

Bisphenol-A, is present in the majority of canned foods. The thin plastic lining found in canned goods contains traces of BPA that can migrate into food. One way to avoid BPA-lined cans is to purchase foods packaged in Tetra Paks, aseptic cartons made from layers of paper, aluminum, and polyethylene.