European Commission bans the use of bisphenol A in plastic baby bottles

In November the European Commission banned the use of organic compound bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic baby bottles, the ban will come into place from March 2011.

"It is a step in the right direction," says Lisette van Vliet, Toxics Policy Advisor at HEAL. "But this only relates to baby bottles. The ban should be for ALL food packaging for infants under three years old - and it should quickly be extended to all food packaging because, if babies during pregnancy are to be protected, consumption by women of child-bearing age should be avoided."

With growing evidence that BPA may play a role in major chronic diseases, such as breast cancer and diabetes, reducing levels of human exposure is a necessary and important step. The exposure of the developing foetus in the womb warrants particular attention because BPA can cross the placenta.

Press releases:

26/11/2010 Health and Environment NGOs comment on Bisphenol A ban

26/11/2010 Addressing the "missing link" in cancer prevention

22/11/2010 Commission confirms intentions on BPA

30/09/2010 European food panel fails to protect EU citizen’s health from plastic component, BPA

Last updated on 7 June 2011