In the past, Berkey Light ® systems were made of food-grade polycarbonate approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Some research suggests that polycarbonates are known to leach BPA (bisphenol-A) when exposed to high-strength industrial-grade alkaline detergents or when repeatedly exposed to temperatures above 192 degrees Fahrenheit (over 88 degrees Celsius); neither occurs when using the Berkey Light system ® .
Further studies regarding possible leaching of BPA are underway. A lot of misinformation has also been circulating on the airwaves and on the Internet. The FDA stated in April 2008 that it was not recommending that anyone stop using products containing BPA while it continued its risk evaluation process.
Even with such statements from the FDA, New Millennium Concepts determined that it was in the best interest of our customers to use an alternative to the polycarbonate previously used to produce the Berkey Light ® system. Fortunately, in 2008, a new product was developed without BPA . New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. has replaced the polycarbonate material with this new material to alleviate potential concerns for our customers. Not only is this copolyester very durable, but it is also resistant to scratches, stains, chips and odors.
PLEASE NOTE: Over the past year, there has been a growing concern regarding containers containing recycling code #7. The recycling code found on the bottom of plastic containers is called Resin Identification Codes. Polycarbonate is simply a type of plastic that falls under code #7. Code #7 is a catch-all code that essentially means "Other" and most products that do not fit into categories #1 through #6 are placed in category #7. It also applies to products made from more than one type of plastic in categories 1 to 6. The new copolyester used by the Berkey Light system ® is also classified as category 7 although is not a polycarbonate and does not contain BPA.
