At a glance guide to plastic bottles

Lately, you’ve been hearing all kinds of bad news reports about toxic chemicals leaching from plastic bottles and containers. Here at USANA, we care about your health. If you heat these bottles or re-use them, you might be increasing your exposure to hormone mimics or any of a number of other chemicals.

On the other hand, plastic is all around us, and not all of it is hazardous to your family’s health. How do you know which types of plastics are worse, and which are not as bad? The fist clue is the number inside the recycling symbol on the bottom of the bottles or containers. The numbers indicate which are accepted by recyclers, but they also indicate the class of plastic and its chemical characteristics:

No. 1 PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
No. 2 HDPE (high density polyethylene)
No. 3. V (vinyl) or PVC
No. 4. LDPE (low density polyethylene)
No. 5. PP (polypropylene)
No. 6. PS (polystyrene)
No. 7. Other or miscellanous

To sum up, if the bottle has the number 1, 2, 4, or 5 on the bottom, it’s made from one of the safer plastics. If the number says 3, 6, or 7, there is a greater likelihood that the bottle will be leaving a chemical residue in your beverage. Category No. 3, PVC or polyvinyl chloride, is the worst, followed by No. 7, which may contain polycarbonates (bisphenol-A).

Another clue is that the softer the plastic the more likely that leaching can occur. You can also use your nose. If you sniff a hint of plastic, find another container. Of course, your best bet is to avoid plastics for food and beverage altogether, and use glass, metal, or ceramic refillable containers whenever possible.

Dr. Wentz has diversed this information to associates all around the globe, and here at karolynas, we are making available to the public at large. Please join our vision, and Dr. Wentz mission to be the healthiest family on earth, free of disease, living long healthy lives. To join us, please click here. You will have two options, to become a preferred customer, or to become a distributor. Call us if you have any questions on which one to choose.

To purchase USANA products, please click here. You can enjoy Christmas specials if you purchase before December 12. Please, visit our website www.karolynas.com or www.karolynas.usana.com