It’s not just the additives and preservatives in foods that you need to beware of. You also want to consider the containers that your foods come in. Canned foods, water bottles and reusable plastic containers can contain Bisphenol A, otherwise known as BPA

The plastics industry continues to insist that Bisphenol A is harmless yet recent reports suggest that exposure may put your children at risk for behavioral problems like hyperactivity and early onset puberty. For adults, long-term exposure can put you at risk for a number of health issues including breast cancer and uterine fibroids in women, and prostate cancer and decreased sperm counts in men.

Trace amounts of Bisphenol A leech from bottles and cans. A 2004 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that 95 percent of Americans have BPA in their body. If you save canned goods for emergencies only and opt instead for fresh or frozen foods, you will be far better off.

The FDA now recognizes BPA as a potential health hazard but have not established regulations to enforce a ban. You don’t have to wait for the FDA. You can enforce your own ban by limiting canned foods for children. Children’s developing bodies are more susceptible to the effects of BPA. Adults should limit their consumption to 1-2 cans per week.

You should also avoid plastics that contain BPA. If you want to know if your bottles contain BPA, look for the letters PC (polycarbonate) and a recycling code number on the bottom of the bottle. BPA is usually identified by the number 7 in a triangle. The higher-density plastics, which are considered harmless, will have a number 2 or 5 on the bottom of the bottle.