24 September 2009 — In late May 2009, food and chemical industry lobbyists met in Washington, D.C. to discuss communications strategies aimed at keeping the toxic plastic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) on the market and front and centre in the lives of mothers, minorities and the poor. The internal meeting notes were leaked to media and the Environmental Working Group, and indicate plans to use deception-based techniques, including using a pregnant woman as a national spokesperson on the benefits of BPA. The notes highlight the importance of focusing on the impact of BPA bans on minorities (Hispanic and African American) and poor. Fear tactics are suggested — e.g., “Do you want to have access to baby food anymore?” 
Read the full story at the Environmental Working Group Enviroblog.
Read the meeting notes outlining the tactics discussed at the meeting.
There is substantial – and constantly growing – research that BPA can negatively impact health at very low doses, especially for infants. BPA has been banned in Canada for use in plastic baby bottles and containers for baby formula. In the U.S., while the Food and Drug Administration has not yet recommended discontinuing use of BPA-containing plastic containers, a comprehensive September 2008 report of U.S. Department of Health Human Services (National Toxicology Progam) report indicated “some concern for effects [of BPA] on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and children at current human exposures.”
(Photo credit: shine.yahoo.com)