We hear this often: you are what you eat. The statement is self-explanatory. If you overeat, you could gain weight. If you eat unhealthy foods, you could become ill. If you do not get enough vitamins and minerals, your body will not function at optimal levels.

However, the statement has another meaning. Sometimes, there are unfamiliar ingredients in food. I am still not sure whether, for example, sodium metabisulfite is good for me. When I open a package of food, I expect that food to be the only ingredient. Alas, this is rarely true these days. Worse, the problem extends beyond the food itself.

On September 28 the Endocrine Society released a statement on chemicals that can interfere with the function of the human body’s hormone system. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can likely affect all hormonal pathways — from those controlling the reproductive organs to the tissues and organs responsible for fat development and weight gain. These disruptions can cause cancer, birth defects, thyroid problems, diabetes and other disorders. Other disorders can include obesity, infertility, learning and memory troubles, adult onset diabetes and heart disease.

According to the World Health Organisation, there has been a worldwide failure “to adequately address the underlying environmental causes of trends in endocrine diseases and disorders” and “disease risk due to EDCs may be significantly underestimated”.

EDCs can be present in many food packaging and personal care items. Therefore, we may be exposing ourselves to harmful chemicals every day. The only way to protect ourselves is to become aware of what is in our products. Today is the time to start.

A good example of what to avoid is BPA, or bisphenol A. BPA is often present in plastic bottles, plastic food containers, dental materials, and the linings of metal food and infant formula cans. BPA is also found in receipt paper at grocery stores and restaurants, because the paper is often coated with BPA-containing clay for printing purposes.

BPA is a known endocrine disrupter. Several studies have found that laboratory animals exposed to low levels of it have higher rates of diabetes, cancers, reproductive and neurological problems as well as obesity.

In response to a petition filed by the American Chemistry Council, the FDA banned the use of BPA in baby bottles in 2012. Regulatory bodies are presently reviewing human safety levels of BPA. I think it would be wise to remove BPA from all food products and packaging.

Bisphenol S (BPS), a similar compound, now in use instead of BPA, is just as much an endocrine disrupter as BPA. Items labelled as “BPA-free” may contain BPS.

To cut your exposure to BPA, you can do the following:

• Get rid of plastic in the kitchen. For dishes, containers and appliances, use glass, stainless steel or porcelain.

• Use safer plastics if you cannot completely avoid them. At the bottom of a plastic container, look for a triangular symbol with a number inside. Only numbers two, four and five are relatively safe.

• Forget plastic wrap. Parchment paper, glass jars and aluminium foil are safer options.

• Do not put plastic in the freezer, microwave or dishwasher. Hot or cold temperatures can speed up the leaching of BPA from plastics.

• Bring your own coffee mug. Disposable paper cups often have plastic lining.

• Ditch the canned goods. Many cans have BPA in the lining. Even “BPA-free” cans could contain BPS. Aluminium soda can lining has BPA.

• Stay away from BPA while breastfeeding. Infants can take BPA in with breast milk, so a mother who avoids BPA also protects the baby.

• Do not get a receipt. Paper used in receipts, movie tickets and airline boarding passes contains BPA. BPA can remain on your fingers and get into your food. When recycled, BPA can leach into new paper products like toilet paper.

• Avoid plastic toys. Consider wooden or cloth toys instead.

• Talk to your dentist. Some materials used in dental work can contain BPA.

BPA may linger in a human body longer than previously believed. The sooner you cut your exposure to it, the better off you will be.

• Mike Serebrennik is a physician by training and now a full-time entrepreneur, investor and writer. He is also a director of product development and sourcing at Lighthouse Medical Supplies, Ltd, a local company dedicated to helping patients and healthcare providers lower the cost and increase the quality of care.