Baby formula makers asked to ban chemical
With growing concern about the use of Bisphenol A (BPA), U.S. Reps. John D. Dingell and Bart Stupak have asked baby formula manufacturers to stop using the chemical in their infant formula packaging.
“Concerns about the health effects of Bisphenol A have mounted in recent weeks,” Rep. Dingell said. “Given the dangers posed by this chemical and the public’s growing unease, infant formula manufacturers should play it safe and reassure parents and families by discontinuing use of this chemical.”
“While FDA continues its safety assessment and some retailers pull products containing BPA from their shelves, we cannot ignore the potential risk of infant formula packaging containing BPA that remains on the market,” Rep. Stupak said. “We are asking infant formula makers to voluntarily remove BPA from their packaging in order to protect developing children from the chemical’s devastating effects.”
Letters were sent to Mead Johnson & Company; Nestle USA, Inc.; PBM Products; and Ross Products Division of Abbott Labs. Those four companies produce liquid infant formula for consumption in the United States. Cans of formula typically are lined with a sealant containing BPA.
The Committee notes that Abbott Labs has already commenced efforts to evaluate and identify alternative packaging options. “We applaud those efforts and encourage them and others to proceed expeditiously,” said Dingell.
In April, the National Toxicology Program, an office within the National Institutes of Health, suggested that the chemical may cause neural and behavioral problems as well as effects in the prostate gland, mammary gland, and an earlier age for puberty in females. Canada recently announced plans to ban the compound. Nalgene Outdoor Products, a manufacturer of water bottles popular with athletes, has announced plans to remove BPA from their plastic bottles and replace them with BPA-free alternatives. Wal-Mart has said it will pull products with BPA from its shelves and replace them with BPA-free alternatives.