Connecticut Attorney General Conducts BPA Investigation
There have been recent reports that bisphenol A (“BPA”), a chemical used to harden plastics and found in hundreds of household products, may cause serious health problems. Now Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has initiated an investigation into a planned marketing campaign to promote BPA by packaging, food, and beverage manufacturers.
At a recent meeting of major companies like Alcoa, Del Monte Foods, and The Coca-Cola Company, industry executives discussed tactics for reducing public concerns about the side effects of BPA. According to industry meeting notes obtained by The Washington Post, industry executives were especially concerned about the opinions of young mothers, who are likely to be focused on health concerns and often make purchasing decisions for their households. Representatives discussed a range of approaches, including using fear tactics, to convince consumers to opt for packaging that uses BPA. The notes also say that the ideal spokesperson for such a public relations campaign would be a “pregnant young mother who would be willing to speak around the country about the benefits of BPA.”
Blumenthal wrote a letter to the companies involved in the meeting and their trade associations, asking them to provide details about the planned BPA campaign. He also expressed concern that the companies planned on using misleading advertising to influence consumers and legislators about BPA, and hinted that such tactics might cause legal problems for the companies. Blumenthal previously led efforts to curb the use of BPA, which led to a Connecticut law restricting the use of BPA. Minnesota, Chicago, and New York’s Suffolk County have passed similar laws, and legislation restricting the use of BPA is under consideration in other states. BPA has been linked to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and birth defects, and may be especially harmful to children’s health. Read more about other potentially dangerous products.
Tags: BPA, dangerous products