BPA In Baby Bottles – Canada Acts

At last it seems that concerns over BPA are being taken seriously by those in a position to ban its use.

The Government of Canada has announced today that it will be completing a ‘risk assessment’ of bisphenol A (BPA) and embarking upon a 60 day public comment period (effective tomorrow) on whether polycarbonated baby bottles containing BPA should be banned from sale.

BPA, a chemical used in many plastics, has been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, hyperactivity and learning difficulties.

A report by Environment California in February 2007 named five leading baby bottle brands which, they said, leach BPA into the liquids inside the bottle.

Then, in March, the Environmental Working Group revealed that BPA is migrating into foods from the materials they are packed in. A huge range of products – including baby formula – were tested and included in their report.

The main focus of Health Canada’s screening assessment was the impact of BPA on babies up to 18 months of age. It found that the main ways in which these babies are exposed to BPA is via polycarbonate baby bottles which have been exposed to high temperatures and from the migration of BPA into infant formula from the formula’s packaging.

The Canadian Government’s response to this is to

• propose a complete ban on polycarbonate baby bottles
• “develop stringent migration targets for BPA in infant formula cans”
• develop alternative food packaging and a new code of practise
• list BPA under Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act

Various retailers – including Wal-Mart Canada, Canadian Tire, the Forzani Group Ltd and Hudson’s Bay Company have responded to the government’s announcement by immediately removing all baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, food containers and water bottles containing BPA from their shelves.

We are, of course, pleased that action against the use of this toxic chemical is finally being taken – and that babies will be protected from its harmful effects. We sincerely hope that governments around the world will follow Canada’s lead.

But scores of parents have been using these products for years, never imagining that products designed for their babies could be detrimental to their health.

Just what action will governments be taking to ensure that this NEVER happens again?