2023-06-04 20:00:00
There is no doubt that he abusive use of plastic in food packaging is something that is increasingly worrying society and experts. And not only because of the excessive use of this chemical and non-biodegradable material, but also because of the way in which it contaminates food and that it can cause serious health risks human. Specifically, this 2023, the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has reviewed the case of Bisphenol A or BPAa substance used in the manufacture of containers and caps, publishing truly worrying results for all consumers.
Thus, on the occasion of the celebration this monday 5 June of Environment Day, this year focused on achieving a planet without pollution by plastics, the importance of gradually reducing the amount of plastics used is once again emphasized, since reducing demand will imply a decrease in manufacturing. This year, more than ever, the HIM remember that the consequences are not only harmful to the environment, but also affect, as is the case with Bisphenol A, directly the health of people.
Ingesting microplastics alters the intestinal microbiota
BISPHENOL A
Bisphenol A is a chemical used as a coating for the manufacture of certain metal food cans, resins, and bottle and jar caps. It is especially present in polycarbonate plastics, such as water bottles, dishes, kitchenware, “tupper” containers for storing food or electric kettles. Its presence is also associated, to a lesser extent, with polyvinyl chloride plastics , that is, PVC, and, to a greater extent, to some thermal papers.
The EFSA has updated its research in 2023 about the properties of this substance, confirming that its intake poses a risk for the health of all consumers and in all age groups. And it is that, even if a piece of plastic is not consumed directly, the BPA molecules can easily migrate in varying amounts to the food and liquids contained in those containers and in contact with the plastic, making its consumption a risk.
HEALTH RISKS
EFSA scientists confirm that the effects of BPA are harmful to the immune system. The doctor Claude Lambrepresident of the Technical Committee on Materials in Contact with Food, Enzymes and Technological Aids of EFSA, stated that for this recent review more than 800 studies were reviewed performed since January 2013. “We have observed a percentage increase in a type of white blood cell, called TH13, in the spleen. These play an essential role in our cellular immune mechanisms and an increase could lead to the development of allergic lung inflammation and autoimmune disorders.”
In addition, experts warn of possible consequences for the reproductive system, developmental system and metabolic system. In other words, the total of all the risks and damages, beyond the immune system, that the consumption of this plastic can entail for health is still unknown, so experts recommend periodically reviewing the safety of the products, in order to parallel to the progress of the investigations.
We ingest 50,000 plastic particles a year
TOLERABLE DAILY INTAKE
In order to estimate what would be the limit of bisphenol A that a person could consume without suffering damage or harm to their health, EFSA scientists carried out in recent years diverse studies about the kidney and mammary glands of mice. They were then able to calculate that the lower confidence limit (BMDL10) was 8,960 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day for changes in relative kidney weight. However, it was not possible to calculate this limit for the mammary gland. This was followed human studies who were able to verify the conclusions obtained.
Based on these results, then set a new value for the tolerable daily intake, reducing it with respect to to the marking in the year 2015. Thus, being in that year 4 micrograms per kg of weight, in the last report of 2023 the experts recommend an intake of 0.2 nanograms per kg of weight. That is, a value 20,000 times less than that stipulated in 2015.
REDUCE EXPOSURE
To reduce the danger that BPA poses to health, the most effective thing will be to take certain measures that protect against its adverse effects. The experts present a series of tips or instructions to follow to reduce the chances of being affected by them.
- Choose foods and drinks that, if possible, do not have BPA warnings.
- Drain and rinse canned items with caution, especially if they are fruits or vegetables.
- Choose more fresh and less canned food.
- Do not heat food or drinks in the containers or cans in which they are sold.
Whales eat 10 million microplastics a day
LEGAL MEASURES
However, beyond the prevention measures that you can take in your day to day, there are legal measures in Spain that protect you from the most adverse effects that this intake can present to your health. Specifically, since 2011 it is The use of BPA in the manufacture of feeding bottles for infants is prohibited. And, although it came into force in 2020, since 2016 there was talk of a ban on its use in thermal papers used in cooking and food preparation tasks.
Finally, in 2018 a legal migration limit was stipulated for products, that is, a maximum allowable amount of food contact material components transferred to the food. That amount was 0.05 milligrams per kg of food, something not far from the recommended amount per kg of weight for each individual per day.
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