Jarlie

Julia Child's broccoli with a white sauce - I think it was sauce meuniere, but darned if I remember. WOW that broccoli was cooked. I think people just don't braise broccoli and then bake it for 40 minutes any more. My mom used to cook broccoli until it was very well done, God rest her beautiful soul, but I always thought that was accidental -- now I'm not so sure. My making of the dish was for a Julia Child themed dinner party, and thank the powers that be, I also made some of her other recipes. Julia's pastry appetizer, which I stuffed with her cheese filling, was much appreciated by all. But don't make the broccoli. You have been warned. ;-)

Also - you could check out http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ (the U.S. national Toxicology Program), unless you feel that the U.S. government is a biased source of information.

I think it would be helpful to organize how we are thinking about this topic. Harmful chemicals issuing from plastics used in connection with food is a very broad topic. The links posted so far give us the usual government organization scheme for plastics, which perhaps we can stick to, but I leave that open for comment. Most of the concerns to date revolve around plastics with resin identification codes #3 and #7, which studies (Google the plastic name you're interested in and "BPA") have linked to BPA, which other studies (again, Google, or review the studies linked from the wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A ) have proven to be harmful to humans. But those are items such as plastic wrap, which is made out of polyvinyl chloride, classified as type #3. It seems to me that you (original poster) are dismissing the issue as hysteria because it does not apply to you, as opposed to other humans. Perhaps you don't use plastic wrap or clear (not cloudy) plastic containers or the older kind of clear plastic sports bottles, and of course you no longer use baby bottles - most of which the manufacturers are now replacing with BPA-free plastic. So your remaining issue is the question of food containers made out of polypropylene. I'm guessing you're not currently responsible for a baby, and certainly as a man you're not nursing. (Wikipedia, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A#cite_note-54 : "A 2008 review has concluded that "perinatal exposure to (...) low doses of (..) BPA, alters breast development and increases breast cancer risk".[55 - citing Brisken, C. (2008). "Endocrine Disruptors and Breast Cancer". CHIMIA International Journal for Chemistry 62: 406–409. doi:10.2533/chimia.2008.406 ] Another 2008 review concluded that " animal experiments and epidemiological data strengthen the hypothesis that foetal exposure to xenoestrogens may be an underlying cause of the increased incidence of breast cancer observed over the last 50 years".[56 - citing Soto, A.; Vandenberg, L.; Maffini, M.; Sonnenschein, C. (2008). "Does breast cancer start in the womb?". Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology 102 (2): 125–133. doi:10.1111/j.1742-7843.2007.00165.x. PMID 18226065 ]") Also, "A study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) journal in August, 2005 demonstrated for the first time a strong link between a mother's exposure during pregnancy to phthalates and adverse effects on the male reproductive system. These changes were seen at phthalate levels below those found in one-quarter of the female population of the United States. Most recently, Danish medical researchers published a new study in EHP on September 7th, 2005 finding that 3-month-old boys exposed to higher levels of phthalates through breast milk produced less testosterone than baby boys exposed to lower levels of the chemicals,..." according to http://www.besafenet.com/pvc/newsreleases/microsoft_news_release.htm, citing http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2005/8100/abstract.html and http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2005/8075/abstract.html Let's assume you avoid plastic wrap because the EPA has stated "Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen that causes a rare cancer of the liver." See National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Vinyl Chloride Subpart F, OMB Control Number 2060-0071, EPA ICR Number 0186.09 (Federal Register: September 25 2001 (Volume 66, Number 186). And see http://urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=2361 ("may harm the brain and prostate glands in developing fetuses and infants; adults with higher BPA levels in their urine were linked to higher risks for heart disease and diabetes, according to a study published last September in the Journal of the American Medical Association."). Also see studies described here http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124428.htm and here http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006114637.htm So it totally makes sense that the reaction to plastic-related studies, to you (and I would think some other people in your position), don't justify the concerns. So it might make sense to research your individual situation by focusing on the results for the containers you mention. It seems likely you're probably going to be just fine. Most studies to date, from what I can see in the research, although there don't seem to be a lot yet examining this exact issue, but they don't see many problems with polypropylene ("PP"), which is the usual food container plastic (but check the bottom of your yogurt containers, and any clear plastic food containers, for their type#, because some are 3 or 7...). Some studies do say that "more research is needed," because yes, it appears a lot of the research to date on PP is not conclusive. Some Canadian scientists think they noted indication that PP was leaching in an experiment they were conducting ( wikipedia says "In 2008, Researchers in Canada asserted that quaternary ammonium biocides and oleamide were leaking out of certain polypropylene labware, affecting experimental results" and cites http://www.physorg.com/news145545554.html , or see http://www.canada.com/chilliwacktimes/story.html?id=be27d48b-ef01-4e78-b2bf-c108801884c2 or http://www.ewg.org/node/27344 ) but their results seem to be described by most analysts as inconclusive.

Another article was just in the Washington Post, from UPI: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2010/01/16/FDA-to-study-potential-BPA-risks/UPI-43131263622003/ (FDA to Study Potential BPA Risks: "U.S. regulators say they 'have some concern' about the safety of Bisphenol A, a chemical widely used in food and beverage containers.")

That link is to a kitchen wares store site. Not perhaps an unbiased resource, if they sell a lot of plastics, and I'm not sure they often research chemistry in their retail business. They footnoted several sources, however, so I hopped over to National Geographic's Greenguide. Their summary (which has now moved to here: http://www.thegreenguide.com/food/safety-storage/safest-plastics) is, I think, even simpler, and unlike the store, it does not omit some important points. Most notably, they state not to heat plastic -- and this is what I'd read in other sources when I was first researching the subject (so I wouldn't poison our kids - when all this news first came out): All plastics can leach chemicals under certain conditions. As a rule of thumb, do not subject even the most durable plastic containers to high temperatures (microwave or dishwasher; radiators; hot food or drink; direct sun on hot days). "Microwave-safe" and "microwavable" mean a container probably won't melt in the microwave, but there's no promise that it won't leach chemicals into your food. Do not use ANY plastic containers that appear old, stained or worn, since bacteria can hide in scratches or scummy films. Also, rigid sports bottles can be problematic, which they note, and the other site did not. The Greenguide advises sticking to metal, ovensafe ceramics, and tempered glass (such as Pyrex) if you're going to heat food.

Just want to thank everyone for this thread! I'm throwing a party for my husband and decided to stock an actual selection of choices, rather than whatever we had at hand. We and most of our friends mainly drink beer and wine, but the occasional cocktail should not be neglected. Here's what we started out with - largely inherited from a relative who was moving: Bushmills Irish whiskey Old Forester bourbon Some random brandy which appears to be Israeli Tequila Rums - several, including St. James (and various other old bottles), Myer's and Gosling's Scotch Absolut Citron Blue Curacao (does it taste the same as orange or different?) Kahlua Campari Jack Daniels Small remaining amount of Grand Marnier Angostura and other bitters, and Rose's lime and grenadine I have now added, thanks to your suggestions, the following: Cognac - Jacques Cardin VSOP I had not heard of this brand, but the liquor store owner recommended it - I'd be interested in your thoughts Chambord Cointreau Domaine de Canton (I got that due to discussion on various blogs) Gin - Tanqueray Vermouth - Noilly Prat and a small bottle of cheap sweet vermouth Here in VA we have state liquor stores, and ours did not have maraschino liquor or falernum. Maybe I'll pick some up in MD at some point. Decided not to get cachaca or rye for now. I will be juicing a lot of citrus before the party, to make a double recipe of Regent's Punch. Do you all have juicers? Or do you just use a manual citrus reamer? Thanks again!