Calls to rid baby bottles of suspect chemical

Published on Saturday 14 March 2009 18:58

THERE were growing calls last night for British manufacturers to remove a controversial chemical from the production of babies' bottles.

In the US, six major companies have confirmed they are to stop including bisphenol A (BPA) in their bottles, amid growing concerns over its possible effects.

In the UK, the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) has urged companies to follow the lead of American firms, claiming there is evidence to suggest the chemical can interfere with baby growth and body functions.

But the Food Standards Agency (FSA) insists BPA in UK plastic products is "well below the levels considered harmful".

The chemical is widely used in plastic manufacture and is commonly found in food and drink containers.

Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the NCT, said firms should err on the side of caution.

She said: "We welcome the news that six USA companies have agreed to stop selling plastic bottles made with BPA.

"The NCT would like to see the same steps being taken in the UK. There are now viable alternatives to BPA that can be used to produce clear plastic baby bottles. There is absolutely no reason to continue using this chemical when there is concern about its potential risks to newborn babies."

Phipps claimed there was some evidence to suggest BPA can mimic the effect of the hormone oestrogen in the baby.

There has been growing concern about the possible effects of BPA leaching into babies' feeds when bottles are heated.

The current advice for parents is not to pour boiling liquid directly into bottles, not to microwave them or use scratched or worn ones.

Research carried out at Exeter University found that adults with high levels of BPA in their system were more prone to heart disease and diabetes.

Dr Iain Lang, who led the study, said: "There is not enough to provide us with the evidence to say there is definitely a link, though there is definitely something going on. But in addition to some of the previous work that has been done looking at younger children and looking at animals this does increase the likelihood that there are problems associated with BPA."

In 2008, Canada formally declared BPA a hazardous substance and announced plans to ban the import or sale of bottles containing it.

Now six of the leading manufacturers in the US have voluntarily withdrawn it, but only from its domestic market.

Dr Howard Stoate, a member of the Commons health committee, said the American companies had made the right decision.

"This chemical has been called into question," he said. "More research clearly needs to be done, but as a precaution I think these companies are right to withdraw it and I would like to see the FSA in this country looking hard at the research."

The US Food and Drug Administration says it is reviewing new information on BPA, but in Britain, the FSA says it has looked into the potential risks and found exposure levels to be well below that considered harmful.

The European Food Safety Authority and Food Standards Australia New Zealand have also stated their belief that low levels of exposure to BPA did not pose a significant health risk.

The Chemical Industries Association insisted parents should not panic. Spokesman Steve Elliot said: "There's been lots of work done.

Lots of data, lots of research, lots of sampling and none of those tests suggest that there is a risk to human health."

Last month British bottle manufacturer Tommee Tippee launched a new range of BPA-free bottles. A spokeswoman said the change was the result of parent power. "In response to public demand, Tommee Tippee has made the move to a new softer material for bottles.

"In the wake of various reports linking bisphenol A – present in miniscule amounts in polycarbonate plastic feeding bottles – with certain health conditions in adults, we have introduced the new bottles to make life even easier for mums and dads."

High street giant Mothercare has added a section to its website aimed at reassuring parents.

It states: "The limits for the release of BPA for children's feeding and drinking equipment, including baby bottles, are strictly controlled by European safety standards.

"BPA may be found in polycarbonate used for baby bottles. All baby bottles that are sold by Mothercare comply with the European standards."

But it advises parents to always check bottles for damage.