Image by tiffanywashko via Flickr

Chicago is the first major US city to adopt a strict ban on Bisephenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and sippy cups. The measure was agreed upon unanimously by the city council a few days ago.

Bisphenol-A  is a chemical compound used as a building block of several polymers and polycarbonates that in turn are found in plastic bottles and cans. Which means all of us are exposed to tiny amounts, whether drinking canned juice, milk from a baby-bottle, or any other product sold in a plastic container.

BPA behaves like the hormone estrogen once it enters the body and disturbs the normal activities of certain genes.

Toxicity questions have been around for decades, raising safety issue, especially for babies. Potential problems include hyperactivity, learning disabilities, brain damage, and immune deficiencies.

According to the Chicago Tribune,

Experts disagree on whether it poses health risks to humans, but some manufacturers of baby bottles have voluntarily removed it because of safety questions.

We say, while the experts are arguing, why take a chance with your baby?

Last year, the FDA issued a statement claiming the BPA levels found in baby bottles are safe. But, the agency relied on 2 studies that were funded by chemical companies, and was subsequently hammered by consumer groups for having a pro industry biased viewpoint.

It seems that in Europe, for a product to be allowed, its safety needs to be proven. But in the US, in order for the FDA to ban a product, it must be shown unconditionally as harmful.

Which approach would you prefer when feeding your family?

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