The day that Jasper ate – and I kid you not – half the remote control and a highlighter pen, was probably my worst parenting experience to date. Fortunately, whilst he may be my first born, Jasper is a golden retriever so there's no need to call social services.

Also, apart from looking surprised when he produced a fluorescent blue poo, he survived the incident entirely unscathed. The vet reassured me that most dogs eat something inappropriate at some point, and it's often an object that carries the scent of their owners. Socks and shoes are always fair game, and given the attachment my lovely husband has to the remote (what is it with men and remotes?) I'm not surprised ours bit the dust.

However, although I'm now at peace with the whole episode, I've become a little obsessive when it comes to keeping Chloe away from plastics. Chloe's birth coincided with the BPA-in-baby-bottle scare which ramped up my paranoia as a first-time mum 100 percent. This led to hours of research on the best bottle options, safe-plastic teething toys and BPA-free feeding paraphernalia. Don't get me wrong, Chloe doesn't live in an entirely plastic free world, and she has lots of plastic toys, but I've vetted most of them – especially the ones she is likely to chew. Fortunately, baby-safe wooden toys have made a comeback, complete with non-toxic paint.

Whilst the use of BPA has been controversial for some time, the issue went global when it came to baby bottles. BPA (bisphenol A) is a material used in hard, lightweight plastics – the kinds that are ideal for bottles as they then tend to be shatter-proof. Although it's long been accepted that tiny amounts of plastics leach into food or drinks from containers, the chemical levels involved have been (and still are) considered safe by the FDA.

However recently, credible research has linked even lower doses of BPA to health concerns, particularly to problems with reproductive development. Further it seems that more BPA leaches into fluids when the plastic is heated. As lots of parents warm up milk in bottles before feeding their babies, this has set off alarm bells.

The effect of heat on plastic bottles is a concern for adults too. The water bottles used for water coolers also contain BPA and often spend hours in the sun – especially in Bermuda. I used to regularly pick up bottles for our cooler that were left outside in the blazing heat all day. Not anymore. However our main exposure to BPA actually comes from the lining of most canned food (including baby formula). And remember, exposure isn't limited to the food you eat at home, but includes canned foods that are in take-out options too.

As if all this wasn't enough, it's not just BPA that we need to look out for. Phthalates are chemical plasticisers used in an enormously diverse range of consumer products, ranging from the obvious (PVC pipes) to the not-so-obvious (perfume.) Although phthalates have been banned in the EU and nine other countries due to their ability to disrupt hormones, the levels at which they remain legal in some countries (including the US) are unclear.

Further, whilst non-stick coatings (such as Teflon) don't seem to be toxic if swallowed, they can release toxic chemicals when heated above 500 degrees.

Although we are in a state of limbo regarding the extent of the problem, perhaps the most alarming thing is that many of the chemicals that transfer from plastic packaging or cookware into our food haven't been proven unsafe, but they haven't been proven safe either. Despite this, huge amounts of these plastics continue to be manufactured – including more than six billion pounds of BPA being produced each year.

With this in mind, I recommend you take some steps to minimise your exposure to these chemicals, especially if you are planning a family or have very young children. See below for tips on reducing exposure to chemicals from plastics in bottles, food packaging and cookware.

In general:

¦ Heating food in plastic increases the amount of chemicals that are transferred, especially to fatty, salty or acidic foods. Use glass or ceramic dishes instead, especially if using a microwave.

¦ Replace Teflon or traditional non-stick pans with stainless steel, cast-iron (e.g. Le Cruset) or the Green Pans from the International Cookshop.

¦ If you do use Teflon/traditional non-stick pans, don't preheat them on a high heat. Use them over as low a heat as possible and never put them in an oven or under a grill heated above 500 degrees.

¦ When buying tinned foods, try and limit yourself to the Eden Organic range of beans/tomatoes etc. Eden Organic is the only American brand so far to use a BPA-free liner for their tins.

¦ Replace microwave popcorn with home-popped, as microwave bag linings can contain BPA.

¦ Replace plastic wrap with paper towel in the microwave

¦ All plastics should have a triangular sign on them with a number inside that identifies the type of plastic. Familiarise yourself with these labels and avoid containers with numbers three or seven. Number 1 (most water/soda/juice bottles) is ok for single use only, so don't be tempted to refill.

¦ Avoid drinking water that has become hot in plastic bottles in the car.

¦ Store food in glass/ceramic dishes rather than plastic.

¦ Throw away scratched or worn plastic containers.

¦ Eat less canned food and more fresh or frozen.

¦ Consider installing an under-sink filter system rather than relying on bottled water.

¦ Stay up-to-date on the issue by regularly checking the Environmental Working Group website (www.ewg.org) which is a non-profit advocacy organization that does high-level, objective research.

Important for babies and children:

¦ Breastfeeding is obviously preferable to bottle feeding, but whenever you introduce bottles, use a BPA free brand. BornFree and Dr. Brown both have BPA-free plastic bottles and they are available in Bermuda. However, supply can be variable so stock up on parts and nipple sizes when you can. Also note that some shops here are still selling the old Dr. Brown bottles which do contain BPA, so only buy those that are labeled BPA free. Dr. Brown also makes an excellent glass bottle but you would need to order these online. The insert is plastic but it is BPA free. I used these for Chloe and they were great – I only broke one in six months!

¦ Don't heat milk for babies in plastic bottles, especially if you are not using a BPA-free brand. Most babies are happy with their milk room temperature or cold, so you don't necessarily have to warm it.

¦ Most formula cans do have a BPA lining. Check the websites! Nature's One Baby's Only organic formula does not have a BPA liner. According to the Environmental Working Group, ready-made formula milks are more likely to contain higher amounts of BPA, so try to avoid these.

¦ You can get plenty of BPA free training cups in Bermuda but always check the packaging. If it doesn't say BPA-free, don't buy it. Some brands are transitioning to BPA-free plastic so don't presume that all products from one brand are BPA-free.

¦ BPA-free bowls and spoons are also easy to find here. Daisy and Mac stock the KidCo baby-puree freezer trays which are safe.

¦ Don't heat up baby food in plastic packaging; always transfer to a glass or ceramic dish first.

¦ Try and source BPA-free teethers, or buy baby-safe wooden/fabric teethers.

¦ Whether you are shopping locally or online, you may want to check out specific brands or products online. I used www.thesoftlanding.com as a fantastic resource – it only stocks items that are BPA, PVC and Phthalate-free so if it's on that site, you know it's safe. Much of what they sell is available in Bermuda.

The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns is a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist. She can be contacted at clinicalnutrition@gmail.com