Connecticut: AG says baby bottle companies to stop using BPA

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal declared a "public health victory" as he announced today that six baby bottle companies have agreed to stop using bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles.  

The six companies that agreed to pull BPA from baby bottles are: Avent, Disney First Years, Gerber, Dr. Brown, Playtex, and Evenflo. There was no word from Blumenthal about a response from infant formula makers Abbott, Mead Johnson, PBM Products, Nature’s One and Wyeth. Eleven companies that make baby bottles and infant formula had been asked to voluntarily stop using BPA  by Blumenthal and the attorneys general of Delaware and New Jersey in October 2008.  In their letter, the attorneys general cited evidence that BPA has been linked to health problems in infants.

In a press release, Blumenthal applauded the baby bottle companies but said the continued threat of BPA in other products, particularly those used by infants and children, warrants immediate legislative action to completely ban BPA from certain children's products.

"This prompt positive response sends a profoundly significant message that baby bottle manufacturers respect the science showing BPA health dangers -- and will do the right thing," Blumenthal said. "Hopefully other industries will heed our plea, and a broader legislative ban will be approved this session."

Sarah Uhl of the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Connecticut said, "We applaud Attorney General Blumenthal and the major baby bottle companies for their efforts to quickly rid these products of Bisphenol-A. This is a good first step, but the last thing we want is contaminated infant formula going into a safe bottle. We need to replace Bisphenol-A with safer solutions in all food containers as soon as possible."

The Connecticut legislature is considering a bill that would require a phase out of BPA from products scientists believe cause the most damaging exposures during critical periods of human
development, ban BPA from infant formula containers and reusable food containers (including baby bottles, spill-proof cups, and storage containers), and prohibit the replacement of BPA with chemicals that have been linked to cancer by the federal government.  The bill will also require labeling on food cans prior to the phase out, which will take place five years after enactment.

A committee vote on the bill is expected March 6.