- checking login information
Loading...European Union Bans BPA Baby Bottles
Parents all over the European Union breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday when it was announced that all plastic infant feeding bottles will be free of bisphenol-A (BPA) by mid-2011.
As of March 1, 2011, it will be illegal for EU companies to manufacture polycarbonate infant feeding bottles with BPA, an estrogen-like chemical. As of June 1, 2011, the placing on the market and the importation into the Union of these bottles will be prohibited.
Some might be surprised by the agressive move, which comes only two months after the European Food Safety Authority scientists issued a press release saying “they could not identify any new evidence which would lead them to revise the current Tolerable Daily Intake for BPA of 0.05 mg/kg body weight set by EFSA in its 2006 opinion and re-confirmed in its 2008 opinion.”
BPA exists in a wide variety of consumer products, including shopping receipts and canned food, and has been the target of increased scrutiny all over the world. A growing number of consumers are concerned about the potential effects of BPA exposure on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland, especially in fetuses, infants, and children.
In 2009, the scientific group the Endocrine Society published a 34-page report stating strong evidence of ill health effects from endocrine disruptors, including harm to the reproductive system, causing malformations, infertility and cancer, reports Care2′s Melissa Breyer.
Despite the major question marks that exist about the negative impacts of this chemical, most goverments have refused to take definitive action to restrict its use.
In October, Canada became the first country in the world to classify Bisphenol-A as a toxic substance, despite industry opposition. Australia has enacted a similar ban.
Before the current announcement, France and Denmark were the only EU countries that had unilaterally imposed bans on baby bottles with the controversial substance. Danish authorities went a step further by extending the prohibition to all food products for children up to three years old (AFP).
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration still refuses to admit that BPA is dangerous to human health, several states have already put their own BPA bans into place.
TAKE ACTION: Sign the petition for a BPA-free America!
[Source: AFP]
Read more: baby bottles, ban, bisphenol a, BPA, canada, chemicals, consumer protection, european union, fda, health policy
Image Credit: Flickr - WonderMike
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
Recent Comments from Causes
Don't forget political redistricting in the effort to deliberately create districts that will favor he…
An example of God's sovereignty in natural cycles.
tls
meet our writers
91 comments
+ add your ownthanks
Thanks.
Again, the U.S. drags its heels on safety. Why are we always behind the other developed nations? Hint: CORPORATION GREED.
who would knowingly risk the exposure to their baby???
It is a confirmed carcinogenic cancer risk. What cold be the issue, besides greed?
O.K, now how about the USA banning it too!?
It is quite simple is it not? If there is any doubt at all around the safety of a given product, then it should of course be withdrawn from the market place. If rigorous testing is undertaken after the product is withdrawn, and it is subsequently proved to be safe, beyond any doubt at all, then it could potentially be re-introduced.
Rosi Caswell Animal Whisperer, Animal/Human Therapist, Metaphysical Counsellor
The refusal of the United States to admit a dangerous product is insulting to all those of us who must live here.
The EU is always so far ahead...take a leaf out of their book, America.
In fact, we're so surrounded by BPA containing products, and are so massively absorbing all life long that even breast-feeding doesn't protect your baby, it will need generationS to get a BPA-free humanity.
login to add your comment
use your care2 login
add your comment