Maine Supports BPA Ban in Infant Formula Packaging

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has reportedly
indicated its support of a state ban on the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) for
infant formula packaging, but stopped short of suggesting that the chemical
be prohibited from baby and toddler food containers, which environmental
activists have been requesting.

Maine already bans the chemical from baby bottles, sippy cups and reusable food and beverage containers, but, according to news sources, DEP officials claim that the scientific evidence is limited on whether the most common baby food containers—glass jars with metal lids that contain BPA—cause children to be exposed to the chemical. Agency officials are also apparently concerned about whether rules implementing the chemical ban would be sufficiently clear for consumers and companies to follow. News sources state that DEP is expected to make a recommendation on extending the BPA ban by the end of January 2013, and that an expanded ban would take effect in September at the earliest. See Bangordailynews.com, January 3, 2013; Morning Sentinel, January 9, 2013.