by Catherine Delahunty
Bisphenol A(BPA) is a chemical added to plastics to make them stronger. It is used in baby bottles, feeding cups, packaging for baby food and the packaging of other foods. Emerging research indicates that the leaching from plastic containing BPA can have serious negative health effects.
One study has linked a brief exposure to a small amount during pregnancy can contribute to diabetic symptoms in a mother and her sons. This is due to the chemical interfering with normal hormone activity.
It is banned Denmark. Being phased out in Canada (baby bottles) and Australia (baby bottles). However, in good old Aotearoa New Zealand, the Food Safety Authority says “it is not regarded as safety risk”.
Good on Sue Chetwin from the Consumers Institute who is calling for a temporary ban until we can make sure it is safe.
The Green Party is very concerned about a number of chemicals in household products which are toxic, BPA being one of them. These chemicals include PVC (poly vinyl chloride) in guttering, plastic bottles, toys, wall paint, vinyl flooring and flame retardant products.
There are safe alternatives for all these products and we would like to see a shift to chemically safe household products. Our first step in this campaign is join with the Consumer Institute and call for a ban on the toxic baby bottles, or as the Europeans say – put it on the SIN (substitute it now) List.!
Published in Health & Wellbeing by Catherine Delahunty on Sat, July 3rd, 2010
Tags: Baby bottles, Bisphenol A, chemicals, Denmark, health, plastic
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on the trolls and those who are unable to keep on topic
Seems to me from what you say that the FSA’s assertion can only serve to legitimize boycott..
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The plastic bottles are the main concern. People think however that the answer for baby food is to buy it in glass bottles. Unfortunately the lid liners contain BPA confirmed by Watties (no response from the “ONLY” operation!!) not to mention the can liners for ordinary adult food. A recent study by CANADIAN authorities has found that BPA content varies enormously in canned products. Some tuna products were particularly bad.
For those interested see: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/packag-emball/bpa/bpa_survey-summ-enquete-can-con-eng.php
A temporary ban is ridiculous. It will take many years of expensive research to prove BPA is safe.
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