Glass Containers For Foods & Drinks

This "Friday’s Fabulous Find" is Glass Containers!

Glass containers are one way that can help prevent diseases and sicknesses from happening in the first place. Plastic is dangerous. It really isn't new information but it is important information that we should not take lightly. It is not just what we are eating and drinking that affects our health, but also what our drinks and foods are coming in contact with. This includes storage containers, water bottles, canned food, baby bottles, plastic wrap, milk jugs and the list goes on.

Plastic containers are composed of chemicals that can leak out and into our food and drink. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), also known as vinyl, is a synthetic product widely used in the production of plastic bottles due to its versatility. PVC leaks a softening chemical called phthalate. The most well-known plastic toxin is bisphenol A. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, which are used in food and drink packaging.

These chemicals found in plastics can mimic estrogen in the body and really mess up your hormones. Below are just a few of the health risks.

Interference of puberty
Breast cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Liver-enzyme abnormalities
Infertility
Obesity
Disrupts the endocrine system
Potential effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children

Since 1988 plastic bottles have been identified by "resin identification code" in a chasing arrow symbol (often found on the bottom of the product).

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): AVOID

Common Uses: Soda Bottles, Water Bottles, Cooking Oil Bottles

Concerns: Can leach antimony and phthalates.

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): SAFER

Common Uses: Milk Jugs, Plastic Bags, Yogurt Cups

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride, aka Vinyl): AVOID

Common Uses: Condiment Bottles, Cling Wrap, Teething Rings, Toys, Shower Curtains

Concerns: Can leach lead and phthalates among other things. Can also off-gas toxic chemicals.

LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene): SAFER

Common Uses: Produce Bags, Food Storage Containers

PP (Polypropylene): SAFER

Common Uses: Bottle Caps, Storage Containers, Dishware

PS (Polystyrene, aka Styrofoam): AVOID

Common Uses: Meat Trays, Foam Food Containers & Cups

Concerns: Can leach carcinogenic styrene and estrogenic alkylphenols

Other this is a catch-all category which includes:

PC (Polycarbonate): AVOID - can leach Bisphenol-A (BPA). It also includes ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), SAN (Styrene Acrylonitrile), Acrylic, and Polyamide. These plastics can be a safer option because they are typically very durable and resistant to high heat resulting in less leaching. Their drawbacks are that they are not typically recyclable and some need additional safety research. New plant-based, biodegradable plastics like PLA (Polylactic Acid) also fall into the #7 category.

It is much safer to store our foods and drinks in glass.

Below are a few websites that sell glass containers for food

& drink storage, including baby bottles!