BPA Bottle Safety Update

Bristol-Myers Squibb, maker of Enfamil infant formula lobbied US lawmakers to support the safety of BPA, which is used to line infant formula cans.

BPA is used to coat the interior of most food and beverage cans, including baby formula containers and plastic water bottles. A recent study by a team of UK researchers found that higher concentrations of the chemical in urine were linked with heart disease, type two diabetes and liver enzyme abnormalities. Scientists from the US National Toxicology Program said that effects on reproductive development from BPA in packaging cannot be ruled out.

The issue is of particular concerns for infants and children for whom exposure to any chemcial substance poses a higher risk. As such, it is prudent to avoid any foods and beverage packaging that presents a possibility of cross contamination. The data suggust that bottles and cans that contain BPA in the coating may leech into the foods and beverages and should be avoided and contact minimized.

What to do?  Buy a reusable water bottle for each family member.  You can choose between BPA-free hardplastics, stainless steel and or glass. One of the most cost effective options in the light weight safe plastic, Camelbak Better  Bottle that comes in a variety of versions (biter value, straw, wide mouth) and colors.  While more expensive, the stainless bottles have a great lunchbox size, and even come in a “sippy cup” version so even your toddler can be part of the eco-friendly, BPA-free drinking crowd.  

If you want to read more about this topic, check out Amy Gates blog post  “Fill ‘er up: Reusable water bottles” at Blogher.

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