3 ms·
Most common bisphenol A replacements are reproductive toxicants. BPA has gained enough awareness that consumers are looking for “BPA-free” products and so comp
by nugget 7y ago
Most common bisphenol A replacements are reproductive toxicants. BPA has gained enough awareness that consumers are looking for “BPA-free” products and so companies have to abandon it for marketing purposes. The replacements aren't healthier they are just less well-known, for now.
- oceanghost 7y agoThis is called "regrettable substitution". "This tactic—which researchers call “regrettable substitution”—has been used in the formulation of products such as pesticides, flame-retardant furniture, non-stick pans, and nail polish. The chemical replacements need only be different enough to be considered distinct by regulators. They don't have to be proven safer."
- legitster 7y agoThis is an excellent phrase I should remember. It makes me wonder if regulators should have substitutes in mind before making public policy descriptions. Or if they should continue to rely on markets to "find a way".
- deogeo 7y agoCame here to post this. Instead let me give this choice quote from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BPA_controversy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BPA_controversy: "For example, in 2010, General Mills announced it had found a "BPA-free alternative" can liner that works with tomatoes. It said it would begin using the BPA-free alternative in tomato products sold by its organic foods subsidiary Muir Glen with that year's tomato harvest. As of 2014, General Mills has refused to state which alternative chemical it uses, and whether it uses it on any of its other canned products." It boggles the mind that a company is allowed to keep secret which chemicals it uses in food/food packaging.
- e40 7y agoYes, that is insane. Is this allowed in the EU? I'm guessing not. What does GM use there? Anyone know?
- itsaidpens 7y agoIt's not allowed in the EU. Our regulatory system is broken.
- Sohcahtoa82 7y agoWe don't need regulations! The Free Market(tm) will solve everything! (/s) Snark aside, it's simply a problem of money in politics. It costs corporations less to lobby against regulations than it does to follow said regulations.
- staticautomatic 7y agoReminds me of when I look at milk cartons and they say "From cows not treated with the hormone rBST." The only reason I can think of that you'd be so specific rather than just saying "Hormone free!" or something is that the cows must be treated with some hormone other than rBST.