Plastic bags are gender benders

The culprit is an ingredient in plastic goods called phthalates.

They seep into the food from plastic packaging and get into the bloodstream.

Result: ‘Women with higher levels of four different phthalates were more likely to have baby boys with a range of conditions, from smaller penises and undescended testicles to a shorter perineum, the distance between the genitals and the anus,’ said a recent report.

"Every aspect of male identity is altered when you see this in male animals," according to Fred vom Saal, professor of reproductive biology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Levels of aggression, parenting behaviour and even learning speeds were affected, he said.

The differences indicate a feminisation of the boys similar to that seen in animals exposed to the chemicals.

Frightening.

Switching to buying unpackaged food and carrying it home in natural cotton bags seems like the smartest thing to do.

Reusable cotton bags are not only attractive but also more affordable than most people know, especially when purchased direct from the manufacturers, as can be seen at http://www.badlani.com/bags

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Rajiv Badlani runs Norquest Brands, a small organisation based in Ahmedabad, India, that seeks to offer viable and attractive alternatives to plastic bags, which they consider a serious threat to our planet’s continued good health. Contact him at Rajiv @ badlani.com