The six largest manufacturers of baby bottles will no longer sell bottles made with BPA, a chemical widely used in plastics that has been linked to a range of health effects.
The decision by manufacturers came after Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, joined by attorneys general of Delaware and New Jersey, wrote to the baby bottle companies urging them to stop using BPA because studies have linked the chemical to health problems in infants, including damage to reproductive, neurological and immune systems. "All six major baby bottle companies—Avent, Disney First Years, Gerber, Dr. Brown, Playtex and Evenflow—have agreed to voluntarily ban BPA from bottles in a major public health victory," Blumenthal said.
BPA is commonly found in polycarbonate baby bottles and sport bottles as well as in the lining of canned foods. Studies suggest that the chemical can mimic estrogen and may be linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, reproductive abnormalities, and other health problems in children and adults. Consumers Union has repeatedly called on the Food and Drug Administration to ban BPA in children’s products and food and beverage containers.
Blumenthal said the continued threat of BPA in other products, particularly those used by infants and children, warrants immediate legislative action to completely ban BPA. "This prompt positive response sends a profoundly significant message that baby bottle manufacturers respect the science showing BPA health dangers—and will do the right thing," Blumenthal said. "Hopefully other industries will heed our plea."
Last week the Suffolk County (N.Y.) Legislature voted unanimously to ban polycarbonate baby bottles, a move county officials say would make it the first jurisdiction in the nation to do so. The action would ban BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups sold in the county that are intended for children 3 years old or younger. Last April, Canada's government moved to ban BPA in baby bottles.
Great move! It's about time the argument over safety is put to rest and everyone will finally agree that BPA is unsafe.
Great! That is a good start. Now they should ban it on water bottles starting with the major health food chain stores and the 5 gallon bottle dilivery truck companies across the country. I sulute and commend the baby bottle manufactures!
I don't have a comment, just a couple of questions. Which sippy cups are made with BPA and how long have they been manufacturering baby bottles with BPA? How do I tell which ones are safe. I have 2 grandbabies and would like to make sure they are safe. Also are babies affected just from drinking from them or is it just when they are microwaved? I had heard that story about the microwave releasing harmful chemicals.
Why is it so easy to put dangerous chemicals in our food and products without our knowledge and then so very hard once they know there is a danger for these companies to stop putting our health at risk? Our country, sad to say puts profit ahead of our health. Greed is a vicious demon. The American people had better wake up and see what is being done to them by those who put their lives and their children's lives in danger with no regard.
IS CHILDRENS WATER BOTTLES SAFE TO USE?iS IT CONTAINS BPA?
So what are we supposed to do with all the plastic products we already have, don't have the original packing for, and have no way of knowing the contain BPA? I agree with the moves being made by baby product manufacturers, but this needs to be taken a step further to educate consumers about things they may already have in their homes.
OK that's good. But...has anyone looked at the rectangular plastic containers that Gerber baby food comes in? They all have a 7 on the bottom.
I distinctly remember back in the early 1990's when I went to The Water Store (a franchise in CA, maybe elsewhere) that sells condensing purification systems & water, that the salespeople were very adamant about the type of plastic in their water bottles - from 5-gallon down to personal sport clip-ons. These were the 'safe' plastic. I wish I could recall exactly what the chemical was that they assured me was NOT in their bottles. A good question to ask all water suppliers... Sparkletts, Arrowhead, Crystal Geyser, Evian, Kirkland, etc. If enough consumers question them, they will know they must change. We(our family) don't use individual pre-bottled water as so many people who drink it exclusively... What are they drinking??
But even MORE SERIOUS is the lining of food cans. These cans are subjected to high heat, pressure, and acidic foods. And don't forget the plastic/metal/plastic-fused juice boxes, milk cartons, and so many other food containers. How safe is our food supply?
Did you ever drink from a plastic bottle and see a triangle symbol on the bottom with a number inside?
Plastic Code 1 and 2 Plastic Code 3, 4 and 5 Plastic Code 6 and 7
The WORST ONES are Nos: 3, 6, and 7 !!!
DO NOT USE THESE NUMBERS if stated at the bottom of the bottle) !!!
Do you know what the number stands for?
Did you guess that it's just for recycling?
Then you are WRONG!!!!!!
THE NUMBER TELLS YOU THE CHEMICAL MAKE UP OF THE PLASTIC.....
1) Polyethylene terephalate (PET)
2) High density polyethylene (HDPE)
3) Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) or Plasticised polyvinyl chloride (PPVC)
4) Low density polyethylene LDPE
5) Polypropylene (PP)
6) Polystyrene (PS) or Expandable polystyrene (EPS)
7) Other, including nylon and acrylic
What you aren't told is that many of the plastics used are toxic and the chemicals used to create a plastic can leach out of the plastic and into the food / drink.
Think about it, how many times have you or a friend said "I don't like this, it taste like the plastic bottle ..... "
THAT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE TASTING THE PLASTIC
Check out this chart that breaks down the plastic, its uses and chemical makeup (I find #7 a little scary)
http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_plascod3.html
For those asking which one has BPA? just don't use plastic. use glass instead. as long as we're after "convenience" we'll compromise health and other issues. Plastic has other harmful stuff/effects besides BPA. For those expecting companies to educate them about what's in a product...dream on.
This whole situation s&%$s. What about all of the plastic refrigerator containers where you just nuke them and have the contents for a quick dinner. Are we ever going to learn the real truth or are we just ginny pigs for all of the Boo Koo wealthy People that are stopping the FDA from banning them because of the money behind them. Thanks, Sue
This whole issue should be addressed by the FDA and protect
us from the many harmful ingredients that are in just about everything we use. The new administration must protect our children from BPA and what is in many products coming from China. Many comments should be addressed to our leaders in the new administration and enforce requirements that protect usd.
Does anybody knows waht are the risks for a baby having used AVENT bottle for 5 years?
I am amazed at how many nasty chemicals there are in our containers as well as our water supplies themselves. DDT, BPA and on and on.... But there is all this huge stigma on medical marijuana !!?!? What is really poisonous to us is totally legal as long as big money is behind it!!
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