Glass A Natural Alternative For Consumers Concerned About Reported Health Risks Associated With The Plastic Chemical Bisphenol A

Alexandria, Virginia - According to recent news reports, the National Toxicology Program, an office of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has acknowledged for the first time concerns that the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), found in thousands of everyday products such as baby bottles and other hard plastic food and beverage containers, may be linked to the development of certain cancers and other serious disorders, such as brain development issues in fetuses and children. It has also recently been reported that the Canadian government is planning to label BPA "toxic."

While questions continue to arise about BPA and reports surface about the possible harmfulness of the chemical, concerned consumers are welcome to turn to glass-a packaging material that has proven safe for over 400 years.

"Consumer preferences for pure packaging is leading many consumers to turn to glass because of its inert characteristics and ability to maintain the purity and taste of products," said Joseph Cattaneo, President of the Glass Packaging Institute. "Glass is a proven pure and safe material for human health."

Glass is the best packaging choice for your health and for the environment. Because glass is made from all-natural, sustainable raw materials, it is the only packaging that is 100 percent pure and 100 percent recyclable in a closed loop system.

Consumers also prefer glass packaging for maintaining the purity of food and beverages (78 percent), preserving a product's taste or flavor (75 percent), and maintaining the integrity or healthiness of foods and beverages (82 percent), according to a 2006 survey conducted by Newton Marketing & Research of Norman, Oklahoma.

The NIH report is the most comprehensive study yet from the U.S. government to raise health concerns about BPA, a chemical so prevalent in the United States that it has been detected in the urine of 93 percent of the population over 6 years of age (according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control). Prior to this, several major research universities and governments in Europe have issued similar reports about BPA in recent years.

For more information about food and beverage packaging safety, please visit Keep It Organic at www.keepitorganic.org.

SOURCE: National Toxicology Program