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Choice on BPA
Australia’s consumer advocacy
group Choice has warned that “there’s growing evidence that food can be
contaminated by harmful chemicals from some types of plastic.” And they pick phthalates
and BPA (Bisphenol-A) as chemicals to be especially wary of. “There is,
however, growing scientific evidence that even at these lower levels of
exposure, phthalates and BPA may be causing problems such as infertility,
obesity, breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease and diabetes.” As we’ve
pointed out before, the packaging Noble’s Pureau uses is 100% free of all BPA and
phthalates. We recommend reading the entire Choice report here and carefully choosing
the packaging used with your food and beverages.
Posted by: Noble Beverages on 30 January 2010
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Safe tap water?
More than 60,000 chemicals are used within the United
States. We can safely assume that Australia isn’t far behind, yet our tap water
is only monitored for 70 different contaminants. In the U.S., the Safe Water
Drinking Act only regulates 91 contaminants. The result, according to the New
York Times, is that the water Americans drink can pose “what scientists say are
serious health risks — and still be legal.” Even though the Times article is
about American tap water the questions it raises should cause everyone to
seriously consider whether drinking tap water in Australia is the best choice
for one’s health and wellness. We recommend reading the entire article, which
is part of the excellent Toxic Waters series, here.
Posted by: Noble Beverages on 6 January 2010
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Polluted waterways
The New York Times has been running an excellent series called Toxic Waters: a series about the worsening pollution in America’s waterways and regulators’ response. Their latest story is about overflowing sewerage systems, and how drinking water supplies can become contaminated. The story says: “There is no national record-keeping of how many illnesses are caused by sewage spills. But academic research suggests that as many as 20 million people each year become ill from drinking water containing bacteria and other pathogens that are often spread by untreated waste.”
Do sewers overflow in Australia? You bet. Every metro water supplier has information on overflows. Is this a cause for concern? Certainly. Cross-contamination into waterways is a reality of antiquated and overstretched sewerage systems (read Australia’s Guidelines for Sewerage Systems here – page 12 gives details on human health affects). It’s yet another reason to think very carefully about the water you are drinking and to choose water that’s 100% guaranteed to be free of all bacteria. In Australia, only Noble’s Pureau gives this guarantee.
Posted by: Noble Beverages on 24 November 2009
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Folic acid in bread
Australia has recently made
it mandatory for all bread-flour to be fortified with folic acid. Only organic
bread-flour is exempt from this regulation. But now, a new study in the Journal
of the American Medical Association has shown that: “Heart patients in Norway,
where foods are not fortified with folic acid, were more likely to die from
cancer if they took folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements than those who did
not take them.”
This is an astounding study
that should make everyone question whether the decision of Food Standards
Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) was the right one to take. Yes, neural tube
defects like spina bifida are horrible and result from pregnant women having
low levels of folic acid. But to medicate the entire population when there
could be larger consequences seems like overkill.
There is only one way to
avoid added folic acid in everyday bread – buy organic bread. If you aren’t
pregnant this may be the prudent approach to take until further studies on the long-term
effects of increased folic acid are conducted.
Posted by: Noble Beverages on 19 November 2009
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Bisphenol-A - again!
Another update on Bisphenol-A. The respected New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof has just written an op-ed piece on the issues surrounding the use of the chemical in packaging like water bottles and canned food. As Kristof says:
“While the evidence isn’t conclusive, it justifies precautions. In my family, we’re cutting down on the use of those plastic containers that contain BPA to store or microwave food, and I’m drinking water out of a metal bottle now. In my reporting around the world, I’ve come to terms with the threats from warlords, bandits and tarantulas. But endocrine disrupting chemicals — they give me the willies.”
Remember, Noble’s Pureau does not use Bisphenol-A in our cardboard casks or plastic bottles. We are 100% free of the chemical. We recommend you read Kristof’s full piece right here.
Posted by: Noble Beverages on 10 November 2009
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