Comments on: Coca-Cola’s Non-Answer on BPA http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/06/coca-cola%e2%80%99s-non-answer-on-bpa/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:54:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Elaine Shannon http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/06/coca-cola%e2%80%99s-non-answer-on-bpa/comment-page-1/#comment-88 Elaine Shannon Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:50:20 +0000 http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/?p=556#comment-88 Thanks for letting us know, Jennifer. As you've noted, many states and municipalities are considering partial bans on BPA -- not for most uses, like computer and cell phone casings, hard hats, safety goggles, washing machine and automobile paint -- but for baby bottles, sippy cups and a few other items used for babies and toddlers. The reason policy makers are moving on BPA is the proliferation of scientific tests that shows that BPA is unusually dangerous to the developing embryo and infant. I'll have an important report Mnday on a new scientific study by top scientists who are studying the chemical's impact on reproduction. Watch this space. Elaine Shannon Thanks for letting us know, Jennifer. As you’ve noted, many states and municipalities are considering partial bans on BPA — not for most uses, like computer and cell phone casings, hard hats, safety goggles, washing machine and automobile paint — but for baby bottles, sippy cups and a few other items used for babies and toddlers. The reason policy makers are moving on BPA is the proliferation of scientific tests that shows that BPA is unusually dangerous to the developing embryo and infant. I’ll have an important report Mnday on a new scientific study by top scientists who are studying the chemical’s impact on reproduction. Watch this space. Elaine Shannon

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/06/coca-cola%e2%80%99s-non-answer-on-bpa/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Jennifer Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:17:05 +0000 http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/?p=556#comment-87 Hey, yesterday I posted letting you all know that I contacted Coca-Cola. Well, you are not gonna believe their response. The first response is in regards to how they treat the environment and the second is in regards to BPA and that there is no research to support it is unsafe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF!!! I almost fell over! Its so safe states are banning it???? Thank you for your recent email message, We welcome the opportunity to respond. We believe that a sustainable business plan and a sustainable environment go hand in hand. Our business depends on the health and sustainability of our planet and the natural resources that we all share. When we align the factors that drive our business with the areas where we have the greatest impact on the planet, it takes us directly—and logically—to three major targets for our investment of time, talent and resources: water stewardship, sustainable packaging, and energy management and climate protection. Beverage containers are among the world’s most recycled consumer product packaging.To increase recovery and recycling rates, The Coca-Cola Company designs packages that retain economic value and utility after the beverages they contain are consumed.To ensure that this value is realized in the marketplace, the Coca-Cola system provides financial assistance and other support for recovery and collection systems around the world.We also work closely with community organizations that promote recycling and litter abatement.The Coca-Cola Company is a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.In partnership with the National Recycling Coalition, we underwrite a twice-yearly bin grant program in the United States. Read about it here <a href="http://www.bingrant.org" rel="nofollow">www.bingrant.org</a>.Water stewardship leads the list of our sustainability efforts. In 2007, we announced our aspirational goal to return to communities and nature an amount of water equal to what we use in our beverages and their production. We are moving toward our goal with three objectives: to reduce the amount of water used to produce our beverages, to recycle water used in our manufacturing processes so it can be returned safely to the environment and to replenish water in communities and nature through a global network of local partnerships and projects.Our sustainable packaging vision is zero waste.To realize this zero waste vision, we are guided by a commitment to continuous improvement.We are advancing packaging initiatives focused on three goals: to design consumer-preferred packages that use the least amount of resources while maintaining product quality; to build packaging management systems to collect post-consumer packaging; and to use post-consumer packaging and packaging materials again to deliver sustainable value. Our energy management and climate protection goal is to use the best possible mix of energy sources while improving the energy efficiency of our manufacturing and distribution processes.We are focused where we have the biggest climate protection opportunity: improving the efficiency of our coolers, vending machines and fountain equipment, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by this equipment; improving our energy efficiency and productivity and reducing manufacturing emissions; and managing our distribution fleet to incorporate more fuel-efficient modes of product delivery.To learn more about our long term goals, visit environment.coca-cola.com.If you have additional questions or comments to share, please feel free to contact us again.GregIndustry and Consumer AffairsThe Coca-Cola Company Ok, and here is the other comment in regards to BPA. If the owner would like a copy of this email please email me and I can forward. At the end I provided the email address of the person who sent me these messages...Greg. Thank you for contacting us again, Jennifer. BPA is a chemical used worldwide in thousands of packages in the marketplace, including the coating inside virtually all metal food and beverage cans. This coating guards against contamination and extends the shelf life of foods and beverages. It also is used to manufacture shatter-resistant bottles, medical devices, sports safety equipment and compact disc covers. BPA has been studied extensively and determined to be safe by regulatory authorities worldwide. The safety of this ingredient is supported by comprehensive laboratory research, including studies conducted over multiple generations that are specifically designed to detect adverse health effects, even at very low doses Health authorities around the world have confirmed that canned foods and beverages are safe. Our cans have a very thin film of epoxy coating. The heat involved in the curing process incorporates BPA into the structure of the polymer lining making it unavailable for migration into the can. BPA is not contained in the plastic bottles used by our industry. The beverage industry uses PET (polyethylene terephthalate), not polycarbonate, to make our industry’s containers. The Coca-Cola Company has extensive requirements that ensure that our products meet our own rigorous standards. Our top priority is to ensure the safety and quality of our products and packaging through rigorous standards that meet or exceed government requirements, and ongoing testing. We hope this information is helpful. Please contact us again if you have any further questions. Greg - coca-cola.support@na.ko.com Industry and Consumer Affairs The Coca-Cola Company Hey, yesterday I posted letting you all know that I contacted Coca-Cola. Well, you are not gonna believe their response. The first response is in regards to how they treat the environment and the second is in regards to BPA and that there is no research to support it is unsafe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF!!! I almost fell over! Its so safe states are banning it????

Thank you for your recent email message, We welcome the opportunity to respond. We believe that a sustainable business plan and a sustainable environment go hand in hand. Our business depends on the health and sustainability of our planet and the natural resources that we all share. When we align the factors that drive our business with the areas where we have the greatest impact on the planet, it takes us directly—and logically—to three major targets for our investment of time, talent and resources: water stewardship, sustainable packaging, and energy management and climate protection. Beverage containers are among the world’s most recycled consumer product packaging.To increase recovery and recycling rates, The Coca-Cola Company designs packages that retain economic value and utility after the beverages they contain are consumed.To ensure that this value is realized in the marketplace,
the Coca-Cola system provides financial assistance and other support for recovery and collection systems around the world.We also work closely with community organizations that promote recycling and litter abatement.The Coca-Cola Company is a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.In partnership with the National Recycling Coalition, we underwrite a twice-yearly bin grant program in the United States. Read about it here http://www.bingrant.org.Water stewardship leads the list of our sustainability efforts. In 2007, we announced our aspirational goal to return to communities and nature an amount of water equal to what we use in our beverages and their production. We are moving toward our goal with three objectives: to reduce the amount of water used to produce our beverages, to recycle water used in our manufacturing processes so it can be
returned safely to the environment and to replenish water in communities and nature through a global network of local partnerships and projects.Our sustainable packaging vision is zero waste.To realize this zero waste vision, we are guided by a commitment to continuous improvement.We are advancing packaging initiatives focused on three goals: to design consumer-preferred packages that use the least amount of resources while maintaining product quality; to build packaging management systems to collect post-consumer packaging; and to use post-consumer packaging and packaging materials again to deliver sustainable value. Our energy management and climate protection goal is to use the best possible mix of energy sources while improving the energy efficiency of our manufacturing and distribution processes.We are focused where we have the biggest climate protection opportunity: improving the efficiency of our coolers,
vending machines and fountain equipment, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by this equipment; improving our energy efficiency and productivity and reducing manufacturing emissions; and managing our distribution fleet to incorporate more fuel-efficient modes of product delivery.To learn more about our long term goals, visit environment.coca-cola.com.If you have additional questions or comments to share, please feel free to contact us again.GregIndustry and Consumer AffairsThe Coca-Cola Company

Ok, and here is the other comment in regards to BPA. If the owner would like a copy of this email please email me and I can forward. At the end I provided the email address of the person who sent me these messages…Greg.

Thank you for contacting us again, Jennifer.

BPA is a chemical used worldwide in thousands of packages in the marketplace, including the coating inside virtually all metal food and beverage cans. This coating guards against contamination and extends the shelf life of foods and beverages. It also is used to manufacture shatter-resistant bottles, medical devices, sports safety equipment and compact disc covers.

BPA has been studied extensively and determined to be safe by regulatory authorities worldwide. The safety of this ingredient is supported by comprehensive laboratory research, including studies conducted over multiple generations that are specifically designed to detect adverse health effects, even at very low doses Health authorities around the world have confirmed that canned foods and beverages are safe.

Our cans have a very thin film of epoxy coating. The heat involved in the curing process incorporates BPA into the structure of the polymer lining making it unavailable for migration into the can.

BPA is not contained in the plastic bottles used by our industry. The beverage industry uses PET (polyethylene terephthalate), not polycarbonate, to make our industry’s containers.

The Coca-Cola Company has extensive requirements that ensure that our products meet our own rigorous standards. Our top priority is to ensure the safety and quality of our products and packaging through rigorous standards that meet or exceed government requirements, and ongoing testing.

We hope this information is helpful. Please contact us again if you have any further questions.

Greg – coca-cola.support@na.ko.com
Industry and Consumer Affairs
The Coca-Cola Company

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/06/coca-cola%e2%80%99s-non-answer-on-bpa/comment-page-1/#comment-81 Jennifer Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:03:49 +0000 http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/?p=556#comment-81 I just emailed Coca-Cola with a new product idea...going green! I asked how they slept at night...oh yeah, on a bed of money I reminded myself. I stated they need to be more responsible for their customers well being and the environment too. They are evil and I hate their products but many people love their stuff...it is important they, and all other large companies, start doing whats right for their customers health instead of always worrying about money. What a sad America we live in! I just emailed Coca-Cola with a new product idea…going green! I asked how they slept at night…oh yeah, on a bed of money I reminded myself. I stated they need to be more responsible for their customers well being and the environment too.

They are evil and I hate their products but many people love their stuff…it is important they, and all other large companies, start doing whats right for their customers health instead of always worrying about money.

What a sad America we live in!

]]> By: Katy from Non-Toxic Kids http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/06/coca-cola%e2%80%99s-non-answer-on-bpa/comment-page-1/#comment-63 Katy from Non-Toxic Kids Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:37:47 +0000 http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/?p=556#comment-63 Thanks for this follow up. I was wondering where this whole thing stood, and what sort of response there was from Coke. I'm encouraging people not to buy Coke products at my blog, Non-Toxic Kids, until this is sorted out. Thanks for this new blog, I will read it often. Katy http://www.non-toxickids.net Thanks for this follow up. I was wondering where this whole thing stood, and what sort of response there was from Coke. I’m encouraging people not to buy Coke products at my blog, Non-Toxic Kids, until this is sorted out.

Thanks for this new blog, I will read it often.

Katy
http://www.non-toxickids.net

]]> By: Tanea Stephens http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/06/coca-cola%e2%80%99s-non-answer-on-bpa/comment-page-1/#comment-60 Tanea Stephens Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:19:14 +0000 http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/?p=556#comment-60 Reading through the blog, and particularly this post, reminds me of the common response I hear from people who are older than 30 whenever I talk about the harmful toxicity exposure for children....75% of the time people respond by saying "we grew up with Johnson's & Johnson's, BPA toys and chemical flame retardants and we're fine so I don't see why we need to overreact by avoiding affordable, convenient products for children." Does EWG have a talking point to combat such skepticism? Surely the lack of long-term scientific evidence that proves harmful effects of chemicals on our bodies is one of the roadblocks to changing legislation and ultimately, consumer behavior. Reading through the blog, and particularly this post, reminds me of the common response I hear from people who are older than 30 whenever I talk about the harmful toxicity exposure for children….75% of the time people respond by saying “we grew up with Johnson’s & Johnson’s, BPA toys and chemical flame retardants and we’re fine so I don’t see why we need to overreact by avoiding affordable, convenient products for children.” Does EWG have a talking point to combat such skepticism? Surely the lack of long-term scientific evidence that proves harmful effects of chemicals on our bodies is one of the roadblocks to changing legislation and ultimately, consumer behavior.

]]> By: Elaine Shannon http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/06/coca-cola%e2%80%99s-non-answer-on-bpa/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Elaine Shannon Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:44:31 +0000 http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/?p=556#comment-29 Tracy and other readers -- Thanks much for reading and taking the time to comment. We at EWG don't think we can shop our way out of the BPA problem. Cans definitely have linings made with BPA. Hard polycarbonate drink bottles also have BPA. I see from Coca-Cola's website that the company is introducing a new type of bottle that is supposed to have higher non-petrochemical content. http://earth911.com/blog/2009/05/25/coca-cola-introduces-plant-based-plastic-bottles/ But I don't know much about the plastic. We'd like to see cans lined with alternative products that have been extensively tested by independent laboratories and found to be safe, especially for the fetus and infants, whose systems are still developing. For myself, I dropped my bottled water service because the large jugs were made with polycarbonate and installed a reverse osmosis filter on our tap water system. My son and husband got steel bottles in their Christmas stockings. I like soft drinks too, especially Coke. But I drink a lot of homemade iced tea and lemonade these days. Elaine Shannon Tracy and other readers — Thanks much for reading and taking the time to comment. We at EWG don’t think we can shop our way out of the BPA problem. Cans definitely have linings made with BPA. Hard polycarbonate drink bottles also have BPA. I see from Coca-Cola’s website that the company is introducing a new type of bottle that is supposed to have higher non-petrochemical content. http://earth911.com/blog/2009/05/25/coca-cola-introduces-plant-based-plastic-bottles/ But I don’t know much about the plastic. We’d like to see cans lined with alternative products that have been extensively tested by independent laboratories and found to be safe, especially for the fetus and infants, whose systems are still developing. For myself, I dropped my bottled water service because the large jugs were made with polycarbonate and installed a reverse osmosis filter on our tap water system. My son and husband got steel bottles in their Christmas stockings. I like soft drinks too, especially Coke. But I drink a lot of homemade iced tea and lemonade these days. Elaine Shannon

]]> By: Karen Moody http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/06/coca-cola%e2%80%99s-non-answer-on-bpa/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Karen Moody Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:08:47 +0000 http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/?p=556#comment-23 Yet another company I must boycott. I have been loosely avoiding their products for years but will now be more agressive with actually boycotting Coca Cola and all their family companies. Yet another company I must boycott. I have been loosely avoiding their products for years but will now be more agressive with actually boycotting Coca Cola and all their family companies.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/06/coca-cola%e2%80%99s-non-answer-on-bpa/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Kathy Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:29:23 +0000 http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/?p=556#comment-19 My husband recently sat next to a Coca Cola executive on an airplane. He told him we don't drink coke due to the cans containing BPA. The exec said nothing but looked a bit displeased! I'm looking forward to hearing what they have to say on the matter if they ever make a statement! My husband recently sat next to a Coca Cola executive on an airplane. He told him we don’t drink coke due to the cans containing BPA. The exec said nothing but looked a bit displeased!

I’m looking forward to hearing what they have to say on the matter if they ever make a statement!

]]> By: Tracy W. http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/06/coca-cola%e2%80%99s-non-answer-on-bpa/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Tracy W. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:19:11 +0000 http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/?p=556#comment-18 So this raises a question for those of us who enjoy drinking soft drinks. Is it safer to drink soft drinks from cans or from bottles? Or is it impossible to determine? So this raises a question for those of us who enjoy drinking soft drinks. Is it safer to drink soft drinks from cans or from bottles? Or is it impossible to determine?

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