Plastic Of Plastic Essay

Plastic packaging and its effects on food stuffs

Introduction

The food we consume everyday touches plastic infinitely, whether it is during the preparation stages, packaging, storage or even just eating the food from a plastic plate. There is no escaping the fact that the food we eat has a huge contact with plastics. However, what does this mean for our food? There is an adverse effect to plastics and their contact with foods, particularly acidic, fatty or salty foods. The chemicals in plastics go through a process called “leaching” or “migration” which leads to transfer of polymer additives, impurities and polymerisation solvents into packaged goods with a consequent risk of toxic hazard to the consumer (Crompton, T. (1979). [book]). In this

It is commonly added to other chemicals in the manufacture of plastics and resins. It is used to make food containers, such as some beverage bottles, infant feeding (baby) bottles, tableware (plates and mugs) and storage containers. Residues of BPA are also present in epoxy resins, used to make protective coatings and linings for food and beverage cans (Efsa.europa.eu. (2016) [online]). In January 2010 EFSA published its latest comprehensive re-evaluation of BPA exposure and toxicity, to which they concluded that 50 µg/kg of bw/day is a safe amount of expose for any age group including infants. However, they have been asked to reduce this 50 µg/kg of bw/day to 4 due to the studies showing the effects of BPA on the body (Efsa.europa.eu. (2016). [online]). BPA has been found to disrupt the functions of hormone- in particular estrogen, and interfere with the endocrine system of glands. Exposure can lead to abnormal breast development leaving women predisposed to breast cancer (Nhs.uk. (2010) [online]). BPA exposure aggravated the insulin resistance produced during pregnancy and was associated with decreased glucose tolerance. It lead to increased plasma insulin, triglyceride, and leptin concentrations relative to controls in mice studies, where the mice were treated with 10 or 100 µg/kg/day during days 9-16 of gestation. Insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation was reduced in skeletal muscle and liver of

The American Chemistry Council has, however, labelled the study as "very limited." It cites lack of causal relationship between BPA levels and heart disease as displaying insufficient grounds to incriminate BPA. Studies suggest that BPA does not linger in the body for more than a few days because, once ingested, it is broken down into glucuronide, a waste product that is easily excreted. This means that although there are some very harsh realities to BPA and chemicals that leach from plastics, there is not any real harm done to the body if used short term. (Biello, D. (2016). Plastic (Not) Fantastic: Food Containers Leach a Potentially Harmful Chemical. [journal]). If you want to reduce your exposure to BPA, there are some steps you can take. Eat less canned food, and more frozen or fresh food. In addition to avoiding BPA, you'll also get more nutrients and less sodium. Both steps gearing toward a healthier diet and therefore a healthier life. For new mothers you should breastfeed your baby or use powdered formula instead of cans. Avoid bottles and plastic containers that are made from polycarbonate (usually marked with a number 7 or the letters PC as seen in fig. 1) and if you want to reduce exposure to phthalates, avoid polyvinyl chloride (marked with a number 3 or PVC as seen in fig.1). (WebMD. (2016). Pots, Pans, & Plastics: Your Guide to Safe Food. [online]). Some food companies