"3" "7" or "PC"

The evidence seems to be mounting about the danger of some plastic bottles. The dangerous ingredient in the plastic goes by the name "BPA," and a report I read said that 90-95% of Americans have BPA in their bodies already (according to an AMA study). One BPA research study summarizing 218 other studies on BPA found that 189 of the studies found harmful effects of BPA -- an 87% agreement rate. BPA has been linked to a number of diseases, but the American Medical Association.

The FDA, however, is on the other side of the evidence and said this on September 18:

Based on our ongoing review, we believe there is a large body of evidence that indicates that FDA-regulated products containing BPA currently on the market are safe and that exposure levels to BPA from food contact materials, including for infants and children, are below those that may cause health effects.

The easiest way to tell the "bad" plastic bottles (including water bottles, baby bottles, energy drink bottles, food storage containers, etc.) is to look on the bottom. You'll find a triangle with a single digit number in it. The "bad" bottles have a "3" or a "7" in the triangle, or the letters "PC" stamped on the bottom. Some of my two- and five-gallon buckets that I use for dry bulk food storage have a fork/spoon icon stamped on the bottom signifying "food grade."

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