Storage Wars: Glass vs. Plastic (What is BPA?) (2024)

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Storage Wars: Glass vs. Plastic (What is BPA?)? ›

Storage Wars: Glass vs. Plastic (What is BPA?) Glass storage is not only a more sustainable option but is also a much safer alternative for all the family. Glass does not contain BPA so will keep your food free from unwanted chemicals.

BPA stands for bisphenol A, an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1950s. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.

BPA can contaminate food, beverage, air, and soil. It accumulates in several human tissues and organs and is potentially harmful to human health through different molecular mechanisms. Due to its hormone-like properties, BPA may bind to estrogen receptors, thereby affecting both body weight and tumorigenesis.

Glass is another BPA-free option, and many top glassware brands offer surprisingly durable drinking glasses, food storage containers, and barware.

Glass is safer for health

BPA and phthalates can interfere with the body's normal use of hormones; not just estrogen and testosterone but also thyroid and adrenal hormone production.

Food Additive Regulations Amended to No Longer Provide for the Use of BPA-Based Materials in Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups, and Infant Formula Packaging. FDA has amended its regulations to no longer provide for the use of BPA-based polycarbonate resins in baby bottles and sippy cups.

You already know that “BPA” (bisphenol A) is bad for your children (and everyone else). You're probably looking for “BPA-Free” lunch boxes and water bottles. But "BPA-Free" doesn't necessarily mean safe. Science shows that some BPA-Free plastic is made of BPA substitutes that are just as harmful as BPA.

BPA can be eliminated by supporting liver detoxification and cultivating a healthy microbiome with organic foods, antioxidants, and specific supplements. Research shows that BPA is excreted in sweat—exercise, sauna therapy, and adequate water intake support this pathway.

(National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, CDC). For most people, packaged food is the largest source of BPA exposure. Metal food cans and cardboard containers can be lined with resins made from BPA.

Glass storage is not only a more sustainable option but is also a much safer alternative for all the family. Glass does not contain BPA so will keep your food free from unwanted chemicals.

Are all glass cups safe to drink from? ›

These inert and impermeable qualities of glass make it completely safe for food and drink usage. The safety of glass has been demonstrated in many studies and is generally recognized as safe by governments and legislation. The exception is certain types of glass that may have toxic lead or cadmium in them.

Starbucks cups and other disposable coffee cups have been found to contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that can leach into food and beverages and potentially cause health problems.

While plastic containers may have been your go-to before, Livingston says glass does a much better job with moisture control for salad storage. "Mason jars work well, as does a glass Pyrex bowl that seals tight with a lid," she says.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: GLASS

Glass has a non-porous surface that doesn't absorb like plastic and can be safely washed at higher temperatures in your dishwasher without melting or warping—most food storage containers made of glass are designed to withstand high heat without breaking.

Glass Can Be Put in the Freezer

Freezing temperatures do not damage glass the way they do plastic which makes them ideal to use to store frozen food. While glass can handle freezing temperatures and being heated, it's not a great conductor of heat.

Research strongly suggests that at certain exposure levels, some of the chemicals in plastic products, such as bisphenol A (BPA), may cause cancer in people. Depending on where you live and work, you're likely to be exposed to many plastic products every day.

Products that are BPA-free do not contain any traces of Bisphenol-A. As concerns regarding the safety of BPA and its ability to leach into foods and beverages have grown, many manufacturers have committed to making BPA-free products. Keep in mind, though, that not all BPA-free products are food-safe.