Baby Bottle Safety: BPA Concerns

With scientists at odds over the safety of a chemical found in plastic baby bottles, metal cans and other food packaging, consumers get minimal guidance about how to protect themselves. At a scientific hearing, the Food and Drug Administration defended its assessment that bisphenol A-- or BPA--is safe, even as the first major study of health effects in people linked it with possible risks for heart disease and diabetes. The debate on BPA could drag on for years.

In an article from September 2008 on CNN.com, "Right now, our tentative conclusion is that it's safe, so we're not recommending any change in habits," states Laura Tarantino, head of the FDA's office of food additive safety. But she acknowledged, "there are a number of things people can do to lower their exposure."

Where is BPA found?

BPA is used in hardened plastics in a wide range of consumer goods including food containers, eyeglass lenses and compact discs. Mothers Milkmate Baby Bottles are BPA safe.

How does the chemical affect us?

Many scientists believe it can act like the hormone estrogen, and animal studies have linked it with breast, prostate and reproductive system problems and some cancers.

What can you do to avoid exposure to BPA?

  1. Avoid purchasing plastic containers imprinted with the recycling number '7,' many of which contain BPA.
  2. Avoid warming food in recycling number ‘7’ containers, as heat helps to release the chemical.

How prevalent is BPA?

More than 90 percent of Americans have traces of BPA in their bodies, but the FDA says the levels of exposure are too low to pose a health risk, even for infants and children.

What Government action is being taken on BPA?

Several states are considering restricting BPA use, some manufacturers have begun promoting BPA-free baby bottles, and some stores are phasing out baby products containing the chemical. The European Union has said that BPA-containing products are safe, but Canada's government has proposed banning the sale of baby bottles with BPA as a precaution.


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