How to Tell If Plastic is BPA-Free

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A guide to knowing if your plastic products contain BPA or not
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BPA or bisphenol-A is a chemical found in a wide range of plastic products, such as food storage containers and reusable water bottles. With researchers slowly discovering more ways BPA could potentially affect users’ health, BPA-free products have become increasingly popular. So, how can you tell if a plastic product is BPA-free or whether or not it contains BPA? Looking for a “BPA-free” label or the number 1, 2, 4, or 5 on the bottom of the product should do the trick. Keep reading for more information.

Things You Should Know

  • Plastic products labeled with the numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 typically don’t contain BPA; however, products labeled with 3, 6, and 7 likely do.
  • Products marketed as “BPA-free” are usually the safest to use and come into little contact with BPA during manufacturing.
  • Plastic products made before 2012 likely have BPA, as BPA wasn’t banned in common household items (such as baby bottles) until 2012.
Section 1 of 3:

Identifying Plastics with BPA

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  1. Many plastic products contain a number label that tells you if they contain BPA. Check the bottom of the product for a number from 1 to 7 surrounded by a triangle made of 3 arrows (commonly known as the “recycling symbol”). [1]
    • Items with numbers 3, 6, and 7 most likely contain BPA.
    • Items with 1, 2, 4, or 5 generally do not contain BPA.
    • A “BPA-free” label (the phrase surrounded by a circular stem and leaf) on the product or packaging, in combination with one of the “safer” recycling numbers, is your safest bet for avoiding BPA.
      • This label doesn’t necessarily mean the product never came into contact with BPA; however, it does mean it isn’t made from it. [2]
  2. BPA provides some “give” to rigid plastics (also known as polycarbonates) to reduce cracking and breaking. If the product doesn’t move or bend in your grip, it’s likely BPA-free. Similarly, if the plastic item has a recycling number 7 and/or has the marking “PC,” it’s a polycarbonate and more likely to contain BPA. [3]
    • If a plastic product is rigid and transparent—like a reusable food storage container—it’s probably a polycarbonate that may contain BPA.
    • Softer, flexible, and opaque plastics are usually not polycarbonates and are less likely to contain BPA.
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  3. BPA has been in use since the late 1950s, so there’s a distinct possibility that your childhood “sippy cup” or your grandma’s vintage plastic storage containers contain BPA. BPA was banned in most products (specifically baby bottles and kids’ sippy cups) by the FDA in the U.S. in 2012 and earlier in Europe. To be safe, throw out or recycle any plastic products that date earlier than 2012. [4]
    • Older plastic products are also less likely to have identifying labeling, making it harder to determine what they’re made of.
    • Scratches, general wear and tear, and repeated heat exposure cause a greater release of BPA in plastic products. This is another reason to consider discarding older, well-used products that may contain BPA. [5]
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Section 2 of 3:

Limiting Possible BPA Exposure

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  1. The less plastic you use, the less at risk you are of BPA. Before the widespread adoption of plastic, everything from baby bottles to mixing bowls was typically made of materials like glass, ceramic, and stainless steel. So, revert to these methods and choose alternative containers to plastic. [6]
    • If even BPA-free baby bottles concern you, for instance, there are newer glass options that include a silicone sleeve on the outside to limit the chance of shattering.
    • Be aware, however, that many metal cans used for foods and beverages (like beans and beer) contain a lining resin that contains BPA. Regular consumption of food from such containers could possibly temporarily increase blood BPA levels. [7]
    EXPERT TIP

    Kathryn Kellogg

    Sustainability Specialist
    Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. Kathryn is the author of two books focusing on sustainability, 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and 101 Tips for a Zero Waste Kitchen. She is the spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic, has been featured by the Guardian, CNN, Refinery29, and Bustle, and has a following on instagram of over 700k.
    Kathryn Kellogg
    Sustainability Specialist

    Try glass containers with a snap-on lid to store your food. Kathryn Kellogg, author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste , says: "You can find glass containers with silicone and bamboo lids, but even if the lids are plastic, there's not as much plastic touching your food. Since you can see through the glass, you're more likely to remember what's in the fridge and eat the food before it goes bad. Also, the containers will last a really long time if you take care of them. "

  2. Even if your plastic products are advertised as “microwave-safe” or “dishwasher-safe,” high temperatures can weaken plastic and release chemicals like BPA. Similarly, harsh chemicals (such as bleach or chlorine) or scouring and scrubbing can cause the same issue. To avoid this, follow these simple safety tips: [8]
    • Use microwave-safe glass or ceramic dishes to reheat foods in the microwave.
    • Don’t put hot foods or beverages directly into plastic containers.
    • Wash plastic items by hand with gentle soap, warm water, and non-abrasive brushes or rags.
    • Discard scratched, discolored, faded, or misshapen plastics that have been used for long periods.
  3. Food and beverage containers aren’t the only plastics that can make mouth contact, especially if you have small children around. Sucking, chewing, or swallowing plastic items (such as teethers and toys) can cause possible BPA exposure. Avoid this by choosing products made of traditional, non-plastic materials, like untreated wood, cotton, or wool.
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Section 3 of 3:

The Issues with BPA

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  1. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical that’s been used since the 1950s to “soften” plastics. [9] In other words, it adds flexible strength to a wide range of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. When ingested in sufficient quantities, BPA has been shown to be a “hormone disruptor” that mimics estrogen and can impact brain, behavioral, and reproductive development, especially in fetuses, infants, and small children. [10]
    • Polycarbonate plastics can be found in plastic food containers and water bottles, whereas epoxy resins are used to coat food cans and water supply lines. [11]
    • Pro-BPA campaigners argue that BPA is fundamental to society because it creates shatter-resistant, lightweight materials used every day at a low cost(such as eyewear, automobiles, incubators, and food storage containers). [12]
    • Despite the debate, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is clear on the issue: “current approved uses of BPA in food containers and packaging are safe.” [13]
    • The FDA (and plastics manufacturers) contend that while BPA can cause health problems, the amount you can ingest from products is far below the threshold for concern.

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    Why is plastic such a popular material?
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    Because it is easily malleable and cheap to source. Also, plastics are harder to break, unlike glass.
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      Tips

      • BPA isn’t used directly in dental sealants or composites, but it may still contain traces from the manufacturing process; however, the health risks of leaving cavities or other dental problems untreated far outweigh concerns about trace amounts of BPA. [14]
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      • BPA is often replaced by bisphenol-S (BPS) or similar chemicals. There’s growing evidence that BPS (and other similar chemicals) may also cause similar effects on the human body as BPA. [15]
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      • If you’re concerned about BPA and want to avoid it, you should probably try to limit your contact with all plastics (especially polycarbonate plastics).
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331
      2. ↑ https://www.factsaboutbpa.org/blog/what-exactly-does-a-bpa-free-label-mean/
      3. ↑ https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/chemicals/bisphenol_a/
      4. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/food/food-packaging-other-substances-come-contact-food-information-consumers/questions-answers-bisphenol-bpa-use-food-contact-applications
      5. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331
      6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331
      7. ↑ http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/bpa-lurks-in-canned-soups-and-drinks/?_r=0
      8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331
      9. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2774166/#
      1. ↑ http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0055387
      2. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/food/food-packaging-other-substances-come-contact-food-information-consumers/questions-answers-bisphenol-bpa-use-food-contact-applications
      3. ↑ https://www.factsaboutbpa.org/benefits-applications/why-bpa/
      4. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/food/food-packaging-other-substances-come-contact-food-information-consumers/questions-answers-bisphenol-bpa-use-food-contact-applications
      5. ↑ http://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.95660
      6. ↑ http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/01/health/bpa-free-alternatives-may-not-be-safe/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      BPA is found in a lot of plastic products, but you can find BPA-free plastic by reading the label. Many plastic products, from toys to food containers, have a number label that tells you if they have BPA in them. Look on the bottom of products for a number between 1 and 7 inside a triangle made of 3 arrows. Items marked with a 3, 6, or 7 are most likely to contain BPA. Items with a 1, 2, 4, or 5 generally don’t contain BPA. The safest way to avoid BPA is to look at these numbers and look for a label that says “BPA free.” Older plastics are more likely to contain BPA and less likely to have any identifying numbers, so it’s best to discard them if you want to avoid BPA. To learn how to find plastic alternatives for toys and food containers, keep reading!

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        May 4, 2018

        "Identification of BPA free plastic was very useful. Furthermore we should not adopt repeated use of same plastic."
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