BPA plastics banned in babies bottles
The controversial chemical BPA is still currently used in some baby bottles sold in the UK. There is evidence to suggest it can interfere with healthy growth and body functions, and mimics the effect of the hormone oestrogen in the body. Babies are particularly vulnerable to hormone-mimicking effects as they grow rapidly in the early months and years.
If you want to stop using BPA bottles before the ban is enforced then it’s time to switch your bottles. Change to bottles made from softer plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide. (usually these plastic aren't completely see-through and are more opaque or cloudy in appearance).
Other safety advice is to discard old or worn bottles. If your baby bottles have been though a few of your children, or are looking a bit worn out it is a good idea to invest in some new ones. This is because chemicals can leak into food more easily when plastics start to break down. It is recommended that baby bottles are used for no more than six months.
Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive of the NCT, said: “We have been calling for a UK ban on selling baby bottles containing bisphenol-A plastics for several years, and are thrilled their import and sale will soon be outlawed across the EU.”
“When you put hot liquids into a bottle containing BPA, particularly as the bottle gets older and more scratched, the chemical can leach out of the plastic and be absorbed into the baby’s body. There are now viable alternatives to BPA that can be used to produce clear plastic baby bottles, and so there is no reason to continue using this chemical when there is concern about potential risks to young babies. We would now like to see BPA plastics banned in other products, as the chemical is also used in the linings of some formula tins and baby food containers.”
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Mothercare
ELC
