Let’s take a look at what took place in Japan relative to the same issue.
Due to consumer concern about the toxic effects of BPA, Japanese manufacturers voluntarily reduced the use of BPA in packaging between 1998 and 2003.
They replaced EXR coating with PET film lamination on the inner surface of cans or used an EXR paint that had much less BPA migration into food instead.
And following these reduction and replacement moves, a team of assessors claim that virtually no BPA is found in canned foods and drinks in Japan now.
I hope everyone caught the fact that this was done between 1998 and 2003 and we are still discussing this problem six years later. The fact is that some of the same companies we are speaking of also sell products in Japan.
So what might enlightened leaders do? Following is a very high level less than all inclusive examples.
1. Accept the fact that there is a problem.
2. Conduct research from other sources such as Japan that have eliminated BPA leakage.
3. Author a plan to replace existing products with new ones that are safer.
4. Willingly incur the added expense to retool processes and manufacturing products that are required to support the change.
5. Author a marketing campaign to tell consumers what you have done on their behalf relative to product safety.
6. Let consumers know what your competition is not doing.
A leader behind this plan might in fact increase market share and also sleep better at night.
We look forward to and appreciate your comments.
