How to Buy BPA-Free Dishes for Kids

A healthy diet includes vegetables, fruits and grains. What it doesn't include is a chemical called Bisphenol A. Unfortunately, many parents may be exposing their children to BPA without even knowing it. Used in the manufacturing of plastics -- including food packaging -- BPA has been shown to mimic estrogen, albeit weakly, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Still, studies show that it circulates in the reproductive and developmental systems in animals, according to the EPA, and scientists worry about the effects long-term exposure to BPA might have on infants and young children. For this reason, it's important to purchase BPA-free dishes and other items.

Instructions

    • 1

      Take note of the appearance of the dishes. BPA is often used to add hardness and clarity to plastic, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Soft, cloudy dishes are not as likely to contain BPA.

    • 2

      Flip one of the dishes over and check the bottom. Plastics are marked with a number that indicates the materials used in manufacturing, according to the American Chemistry Council. This is done so that they can be recycled properly.

    • 3

      Look for plastic dishes that contain the numbers 1, 2, 4 or 5. These are safer plastics, according to the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services, but plastics marked with the number 7 may contain BPA and should not be purchased.

    • 4

      Avoid dishes marked with 6 or 3, as these may also contain harmful chemicals that can leach into food.

    • 5

      Look at the label. It might be printed in plain sight. Many plastic products -- especially those designed for kids -- are now labeled and marketed as "BPA-free" to appeal to parents who are worried about the safety of their children.

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