Warning for Plastic Baby Bottles - Banned in Canada

A number of articles in the press announced that Canada will be the first nation to ban the import and sale of plastic polycarbonate baby bottles which are made with a certain type of plastic, bisphenol A. One such article appeared in the April 18, 2008 edition of Reuters news from Ottawa, Canada. The article reported that Health Minister Tony Clement said he would bring in rules to outlaw plastic polycarbonate baby bottles, probably within the next year.

The April 18, 2008 issue of Scientific American also ran an article that noted that Canadian retail chains have already started removing bottles and containers containing bisphenol A, citing public concerns about possible health risks. The chemical is used in 9 out of 10 baby bottles.

An article on May 6, 2008 in the Daily Mail from the United Kingdom warned that the chemical, bisphenol A mimics the female hormone estrogen, and can pass from clear plastics into milk, water and juice, particularly when containers are heated. They point out that scientists in the U.S. have linked exposure to low levels with fertility problems, breast cancer and early puberty.

Belinda Phipps, the chief executive of the National Childbirth Trust said, "As a first step, it is important that bottles and other items that might reach a baby's mouth are labeled in a standard and easy to understand way". 

Elizabeth Salter Green, from the group Chemtrust, called for bisphenol A to be banned from all plastic products where there is a risk of the chemical leaching into milk or any item to be ingested.  She said, "It is unwise to make products for vulnerable sections of society using this chemical," she said. "Because of its ability to leach out into milk, it should not be used in baby bottles."