FDA bans the use of BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups

On July 17, 2012, FDA published an announcement on Federal Register to ban the use of controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and sippy cups. This ban is effective on the date of its publication. But stakeholders still can submit objections and requests for a hearing by August 16, 2012.

However, consumer advocates say it’s still offers consumers only “limited protections” for BPA can be found elsewhere in plastics, especially in food packaging. Consumer advocates, too, said that this move of FDA is only a baby step in the fight to eliminate BPA. To truly protect the public, BPA should be banned to be used in all food packaging.

On the contrary, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) defended the safety of BPA after the release of such ban. They said BPA is one of the most thoroughly tested chemicals and is safe for use in food-contact materials, including those intended for infants and toddlers.

In fact, manufacturer of baby bottles and sippy cups announced several years ago that due to consumer preference they had stopped using BPA in these products. And this may be the main reason FDA decided to ban the use of BPA in these products.