Are your eco-friendly coffee cups harming your health? Surprising health risks exposed!
- Replies 2
It’s no secret that plastic has become a big problem for the planet. We have all seen heartbreaking images of oceanic dead zones and wildlife strangled by plastic waste.
So, we’re all trying to do our part and choose more sustainable products. However, the irony is that even well-intentioned eco-choices can backfire.
Charities and retailers, despite warnings highlighting potential health risks and deceptive green claims, continue to sell bamboo cups and children's tableware containing plastic resin as ‘eco-friendly’, according to a report from The Observer.
Regulators caution that bamboo ‘eco-cups’ promoted as planet-friendly are often non-recyclable, meaning they cannot be processed or reused in recycling systems.
This warning arises from concerns about deceptive green claims that may mislead consumers into thinking they are using sustainable products.
In fact, there are concerns that these products may accelerate plastic degradation, posing risks of food or drink contamination and potential health hazards.
In this case, the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has instructed retailers to withdraw these products, declaring further sales unlawful.
However, bamboo and plastic products, including children's cups and plates, are still widely available online despite the ban. They are typically made of bamboo with a melamine formaldehyde resin, closely resembling plastic.
WWF-UK, a wildlife charity, recently sold a reusable bamboo cup for approximately £7.50 ($14.46 AUD), claiming it ‘helps protect our planet’.
The charity's website wrote: ‘Our organically sourced bamboo fibre cup is farmed with minimal impact on the environment.’
Yet, the cup with a panda design contains 20 per cent melamine. WWF-UK advises shoppers to check with councils regarding recycling options.
WWF-UK initially asserted that disposable cups harmed the environment and claimed their bamboo cups were safe for consumers. However, upon contact by The Observer, the charity withdrew the cup from sale.
Wild Planet Trust, managing Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo in the UK, had a £8.99 ($17.34 AUD) (Tiger travel mug made of bamboo, corn powder, and melamine. The trust said they removed the product from sale and are currently investigating it.
Some online retailers continue to sell children’s bamboo and melamine tableware.
Etsy, for example, recently sold a Roarsome dinosaur tableware set for £12 ($23.14 AUD)and a bamboo tableware set adorned with tractors and fire engines, also priced the same.
When approached, the online retailer did not respond to a request for comment.
Caroline Gardner, a retailer, recently sold a scattered spot 'eco' travel bamboo mug for £6.25 ($12.05 AUD), containing 25 per cent melamine.
Despite this, the company clarified that it disassociated itself from bamboo cups last year, and any remaining mugs mistakenly put on sale have since been removed and are scheduled for destruction.
Around two years ago, Amazon banned the sale of bamboo and melamine cups or tableware on its platform.
However, EU regulations, which still apply in the UK, allow the sale of tableware made from 100 per cent bamboo or 100 per cent melamine, particularly for products used with food.
In November 2019, tests by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment raised concerns about bamboo products mixed with plastic.
The institute warned that such ‘bamboo ware’ could release melamine and formaldehyde when in contact with hot liquids, such as tea or coffee.
While there's no immediate health risk, repeated exposure to elevated levels of these substances may pose health risks, particularly with melamine linked to toxic effects in the kidneys.
In June, the UK's FSA reported that the Committee on Toxicity, an independent advisory body, identified potential health concerns regarding the migration of formaldehyde and melamine from bamboo composite cups.
Consequently, the committee urged a comprehensive risk assessment.
Despite some suppliers asserting their products are risk-free based on tests, the FSA is now consulting on these items and actively seeking data from manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers.
‘Any person placing these products on the market could be committing an offence, as these products contain unauthorised additives. The FSA has taken steps to bring the market back into compliance, similar to steps undertaken in the EU,’ the FSA said.
‘Businesses selling these items are reminded that plastic food contact articles containing unauthorised plant-based additives such as bamboo powder should be withdrawn from the market with immediate effect.’
Members, have any of you tried using those ‘eco-friendly’ coffee cups at home? Any advice on how to spot items claiming to be eco-friendly that could be harmful? Share your suggestions in the comments below!
So, we’re all trying to do our part and choose more sustainable products. However, the irony is that even well-intentioned eco-choices can backfire.
Charities and retailers, despite warnings highlighting potential health risks and deceptive green claims, continue to sell bamboo cups and children's tableware containing plastic resin as ‘eco-friendly’, according to a report from The Observer.
Regulators caution that bamboo ‘eco-cups’ promoted as planet-friendly are often non-recyclable, meaning they cannot be processed or reused in recycling systems.
This warning arises from concerns about deceptive green claims that may mislead consumers into thinking they are using sustainable products.
In fact, there are concerns that these products may accelerate plastic degradation, posing risks of food or drink contamination and potential health hazards.
In this case, the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has instructed retailers to withdraw these products, declaring further sales unlawful.
Charities and retailers still sell ‘eco-friendly’ bamboo cups with plastic resin, raising concerns about misleading green claims. Image source: Savanevich Viktar
However, bamboo and plastic products, including children's cups and plates, are still widely available online despite the ban. They are typically made of bamboo with a melamine formaldehyde resin, closely resembling plastic.
WWF-UK, a wildlife charity, recently sold a reusable bamboo cup for approximately £7.50 ($14.46 AUD), claiming it ‘helps protect our planet’.
The charity's website wrote: ‘Our organically sourced bamboo fibre cup is farmed with minimal impact on the environment.’
Yet, the cup with a panda design contains 20 per cent melamine. WWF-UK advises shoppers to check with councils regarding recycling options.
WWF-UK initially asserted that disposable cups harmed the environment and claimed their bamboo cups were safe for consumers. However, upon contact by The Observer, the charity withdrew the cup from sale.
Wild Planet Trust, managing Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo in the UK, had a £8.99 ($17.34 AUD) (Tiger travel mug made of bamboo, corn powder, and melamine. The trust said they removed the product from sale and are currently investigating it.
Some online retailers continue to sell children’s bamboo and melamine tableware.
Etsy, for example, recently sold a Roarsome dinosaur tableware set for £12 ($23.14 AUD)and a bamboo tableware set adorned with tractors and fire engines, also priced the same.
When approached, the online retailer did not respond to a request for comment.
Eco Bamboo Travel Cup on Etsy. Image source: Etsy
Caroline Gardner, a retailer, recently sold a scattered spot 'eco' travel bamboo mug for £6.25 ($12.05 AUD), containing 25 per cent melamine.
Despite this, the company clarified that it disassociated itself from bamboo cups last year, and any remaining mugs mistakenly put on sale have since been removed and are scheduled for destruction.
Around two years ago, Amazon banned the sale of bamboo and melamine cups or tableware on its platform.
However, EU regulations, which still apply in the UK, allow the sale of tableware made from 100 per cent bamboo or 100 per cent melamine, particularly for products used with food.
In November 2019, tests by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment raised concerns about bamboo products mixed with plastic.
The institute warned that such ‘bamboo ware’ could release melamine and formaldehyde when in contact with hot liquids, such as tea or coffee.
While there's no immediate health risk, repeated exposure to elevated levels of these substances may pose health risks, particularly with melamine linked to toxic effects in the kidneys.
In June, the UK's FSA reported that the Committee on Toxicity, an independent advisory body, identified potential health concerns regarding the migration of formaldehyde and melamine from bamboo composite cups.
Consequently, the committee urged a comprehensive risk assessment.
Despite some suppliers asserting their products are risk-free based on tests, the FSA is now consulting on these items and actively seeking data from manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers.
‘Any person placing these products on the market could be committing an offence, as these products contain unauthorised additives. The FSA has taken steps to bring the market back into compliance, similar to steps undertaken in the EU,’ the FSA said.
‘Businesses selling these items are reminded that plastic food contact articles containing unauthorised plant-based additives such as bamboo powder should be withdrawn from the market with immediate effect.’
.png){kind=icon}
