Eco Pregnancy and Baby

“Put yourself and your baby on a chemical-free diet.”

As a scientist, Andrea Jones knew the advantages of eating pesticide-free foods even before she got pregnant. During her pregnancy, she ate mostly organic foods, but she didn’t give it serious thought until her son, Kyle, now 3, was a few months old. Jones started reading about the dangers of pesticides in food. “Because of their faster metabolism and smaller body size, babies can’t process and eliminate pesticides as well as adults,” she says.

As a result, Jones began buying only organic produce and felt that what she and her son were eating was safe. That is, until she came across an Environmental Working Group study that tested canned foods (including organic varieties) in the U.S. for bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is often used in can liners to prevent the metal from corroding and leaching into foods, but it’s associated with breast and prostate cancer, infertility and permanent damage to developing male reproductive organs. The researchers found that the linings of more than half the cans tested contained BPA.

Getting fresh

Jones was shocked to learn that the U.S. government sets no safety limits for the chemical’s use in canned foods. She contacted nine companies and asked them if the cans of organic food her family ate contained BPA. Most of them did.

Some companies responded with explanations, falling back on the government guidelines and claiming there are no safe alternatives. Nevertheless, Jones told them she would stop buying their products. Today, she spreads the word to her family and friends, and she’s learning how to make more meals from scratch.

What you can do

Make your own meals. By cooking fresh and limiting canned and packaged foods, you’ll curb your exposure to chemicals.

Use your purchasing power If you’re not sure whether the canned foods you buy contain BPA, call the companies and ask. Then write to manufacturers and tell them you’ll stop buying cans that contain it.

Learn more For information about reducing your and your baby’s exposure to BPA, check out the Environmental Working Group’s Survey of BPA in U.S. Canned Foods.

Tags: dirty dozen most contaminated fruits vegetables, eat local, green business, green pregnancy, organic baby food

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