How to Tell If Plastic is BPA-Free

• 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.

Identifying Plastics with BPA

Examine products for “BPA-free” labeling or the numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5. 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”). 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.

Identify BPA products by seeing if they bend or are labeled with the number 7. 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. 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.

Discard plastic products that were made before 2012. 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. 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.

Limiting Possible BPA Exposure

Choose non-plastic food and beverage containers. 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. 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. EXPERT TIP Kathryn Kellogg 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. She's the author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic. Kathryn Kellogg 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. "

Limit the use of high heat and harsh cleaning methods when using plastic. 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: 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.

Find plastic alternatives for products that make mouth contact. 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.

The Issues with BPA

BPA is an industrial chemical additive that may harm your health. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical that’s been used since the 1950s to “soften” plastics. 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. 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. 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). 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.” 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.