EC Bans BPA in Baby Bottles
The European Commission (EC) has announced a ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic baby bottles. According to a November 26, 2010, press release, the decision was reached at a meeting of European Union member states that followed “months of discussion and exchange of views between the Commission’s services, the European Food Safety Agency, member states and the industry.”
The measure prohibits member states from manufacturing the bottles with
BPA starting on March 1, 2011, and selling and importing them as of June 1.
John Dalli, commissioner in charge of health and consumer policy, reportedly
raised concerns after recent studies claimed to show BPA could be harmful
to infants. “The decision is good news for European parents who can be sure
that as of mid-2011 plastic infant feeding bottles will not include BPA,” he was
quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, a UK expert has criticized the move, telling a news source that it
was “an overreaction.” Richard Sharpe, of the University of Edinburgh Medical
Research Council’s Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, said that he viewed
the decision as political rather than scientific. “I do not know of any convincing
evidence that bisphenol A exposure, in the amounts used in polycarbonate
bottles, can cause any harm to babies as not only are the amounts so minuscule but they are rapidly broken down in the gut and liver,” he said. “Babies
have the necessary enzymes and are able to metabolize bisphenol A just
as effectively as adults.” See BBC News, November 25, 2010; EC Press Release,
November 26, 2010.
