Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Looking for a Safe Alternative

My previous post about BPA in canning lids has prompted me to think about using wax to can. I know it is not recommended these days by the canning industry but my main concern is the safety of paraffin wax. I did a little research this morning on the subject. Here's what I found...




Paraffin is made from mineral oil. Mineral oil is...




Petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. Interferes with skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging. Used in many products (baby oil is 100% mineral oil!) Any mineral oil derivative can be contaminated with cancer causing PAH's (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons). Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is unbelievably cheap. · Mineral oil · Liquidum paraffinum (also known as posh mineral oil!) · Paraffin oil · Paraffin wax · Petrolatum



Is that a little scary?




So, the next search was to find out if you can use beeswax instead of paraffin. so far I have found one source that says "yes". There just isn't much info out there about it. Has anyone tried to can with it? Can it be used on anything other than jellies & jams?





Thursday, my friend Pat, who writes on "Not Now I'm Counting" and I are going to Weck to buy canning jars with the glass lids & rubber rings. Until there is a solution (as in BPA-free lids), I will buy new jars as I can afford them.




Did you contact the manufacturers yet? They really need to hear about it from us. I hope the article in Organic Gardening gets a lot of attention. There is another report out from Consumer Reports on BPA in cans and an article detailing that report at Huffington Post today.

Remember..."You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing, there will be no result." Mahatma Gandhi

6 comments:

Abatevintage said...

Howdy, I am not to sure on the use of beeswax for canning, I know my pop cans and doesn't use these things, but I will definately read the article and see what they said.

Have a great week.

Blessings,
Heidi

Anonymous said...

Oh, that doesn't sound good either.
Good grief. I just don't know what to tell you. I don't can so I don't have any idea about any of this except to say use what is the safest out of all that's available. If you didn't fill to the top wouldn't the lids be safe?...debbie

PatQ said...

I'll see you on Thurs.

Barb said...

Hi Debbie...I think the heat would allow the BPA to leach into the food anyway :-(

Judy T said...

Hmmm, I'm thinking about the way food boils and bubbles when you can. I'd worry that the wax (bees or other) would get all mixed up in the food. I know it would float but I would worry that the jar wouldn't seal properly.
Even though the lids may not be the best I'll still keep using them for now. I can't afford all new jars and it's probably still 'safer' than eating the commercial stuff out there.
Keep us 'posted' on what you learn.
Judy

The cottage by the Cranelake said...

So parrafine wasn´t any good either! Let´s hope bee wax works then!
Have a great day now!
Christer.