Wal-Mart: the new FDA

Fortune magazine's Marc Gunther has an interesting perspective on the bisphenol A controversy with this column, "Wal-Mart: the new FDA." There's a lot of background and perspective, so it's a great story to read if you're new to the issue, or if you need some help understanding what all the fuss is about and how the major players are involved. Gunther even remembered to include NBC medical reporter Dr. Nancy Snyderman. Wow! (Marc, are you reading the Plastics Blog?)

This is exactly how a general-interest business publication should cover an environmental issue.

Near the end of the article, Gunther sums it all up with an interesting question:

I asked Wal-Mart why the company is removing a legal product, which may or may not be dangerous, while continuing to sell cigarettes, which are incontrovertibly harmful. "We sell products our customers want to buy," responded spokeswoman Linda Brown Blakley. "Our customers are telling us they want this option."

That won't end the war. You can expect to see anti-BPA forces keep up the pressure. Will soup, soda and beer cans be next?

I'm not sure about that. BPA critics are definitely aware of the metal can/BPA connection, but to date they've gone after polycarbonate exclusively.