Arguing that too-specific warnings could be detrimental to the consumers' health, California decided to delay the implementation on a state-required warning label on cans that are lined with the chemical BPA, according to an L.A. Time Associated Press article.
Apparently, the decision not to push through with the labeling on cans with BPA liners is based on the argument that putting the warnings on the items themselves might scare stores and shoppers in poor neighborhoods, whose access to fruits and vegetables are limited to the canned ones.
In lieu of the labeling on metal cans, California would require stores to post a more general warning to be located at checkout counters by May 11. The general warning will outline the dangers of BPA and will inform customers that some canned and bottled products have liners that contain the chemical.
Of course not everybody was pleased with this latest announcement. Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles Executive Director Martha Dina Arguello described the decisions as ridiculous and paternalistic. Arguello added that "I just can't imagine that it's a better idea not to let us know what's in our food."
Even shoppers are dismayed by the change of plans. Carrie Del Signore, a Sacramento shopper, was quoted in a KCRA article as saying, "I'd like to know whether or not it'll kill me or mess up my body in some way."
Another Sacramento shopper, John Walldow said: "The more information you get, the better because you know there's a lot of things we don't know."
The highlights the recent trend of consumers getting pickier with their shopping choices and puts pressure on food companies to be more honest in divulging information that might be used as a basis for their purchases.
What is BPA?
Created in 1891 by a Russian chemist, BPA or Bisphenol-A is a chemical used to create plastics and resins. Currently, epoxy resins containing BPA are used to line or coat the inside of metal products like bottle tops, water supply lines and food cans according to a MayoClinic article by Brent Bauer, M.D. In addition, certain plastic food containers contain BPA where it is feared that heating these plastic containers could potentially release the chemical to the food being stored.
According to a Dr. Mercola article, BPA could have the following effects:
1. Increase blood pressure
2. Structural damage to your brain
3. Changes in gender-specific behavior, and abnormal sexual behavior
4. Hyperactivity increased aggressiveness, and impaired learning
5. Increased fat formation and risk of obesity
6. Altered immune function
7. Early puberty, stimulation of mammary gland development, disrupted reproductive cycles, ovarian dysfunction, and infertility
8. Stimulation of prostate cancer cells
9. Increased prostate size and decreased sperm production
However, the FDA continues to insist that BPA is safe according to a Newsweek article. FDA spokeswoman Theresa Eisenman is quoted in the article as saying "BPA used in food packaging does not present a risk to consumer health."
