BPA Banned | Banning BPA | Toxic Plastic Chemical

Wnere is BPA banned?

USA: A Federal Ban

On March 13, 2009, House and Senate leaders introduced legislation laying the groundwork for a federal ban on BPA in all food and beverage containers. The bills were introduced by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). If passed, the bills would greatly limit the chemical from products for young children. The move came a day after Sunoco, a Gas and chemical company, announced that they will not sell BPA to companies for use in food and water containers for children younger than 3.

Canada

In October 2008, Canada enacted a ban of BPA in baby bottles, becoming the first Country to do so. In a press release, the Canadian government announced that it will prohibit the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles that contain bisphenol A (BPA). The press release added, “The Government will also take action to limit the amount of bisphenol A that is being released into the environment.”

California: San Francisco

In 2006, San Francisco became the first American city to enact a measure to ban BPA in children’s products. Unfortunately, city officials backed off from the ordinance when a local retailer, City Kids Baby News, challenged the measure in court. A San Francisco official said any such measure would be difficult to enforce without similar state and federal laws.

California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington

Legislators in California, Hawaii, Washington and Oregon are currently considering measures similar to the BPA ban passed by legislators in New York. Last October, California was persuaded by the American Chemistry Council, which represents companies that make BPA, not to pass a similar BPA ban. In Washington, a bill restricting the chemical was approved by the House but is believed it will not make it out of the Senate.

Connecticut

On April 14, 2009, a legislative Committee in Connecticut unanimously endorsed a ban on BPA in baby bottles, food containers and cups. If passed, the measure would restrict the making, selling or distributing of products in Connecticut containing BPA. The measure needs to be approved by the General Assembly and signed by Governor M. Jodi Rell before it becomes law.

Delaware and New Jersey

In October, 2008, the Attorney Generals of Connecticut, Delaware and New Jersey came together to request that manufacturers stop selling BPA-containing products meant for infants and children (including polycarbonate baby bottles). The Attorney Generals asked 11 manufacturers to stop using the dangerous chemical. They sent letters to baby bottle manufacturers Avent America, Disney First Years, Gerber, Handicraft Co., maker of Dr. Brown's baby bottles, Playtex Products Inc. and Evenflo Co., and formula makers Abbott, Mead Johnson, PBM Products, Nature's One and Wyeth. In March of 2009, six of these companies - Playtex Products, Gerber, Evenflo, Avent America, Dr. Brown’s and Disney First Years - announced that they would no longer sell BPA-containing baby bottles.

Illinois: Chicago

Chicago, Illinois has become the first U.S. city to ban BPA. On May 13, 2009, Chicago’s City Council unanimously voted to ban bisphenol A in baby bottles and sippy cups, becoming the first U.S. city to successfully do so. Many proponents of the ban are saying that this measure will be sending a very clear message to the rest of the country regarding the dangerous chemical. Chicago’s ban, which will go into effect in 2010, will prohibit the sale of any empty food or drink container made with BPA that is intended for use by children less than 3 years old. The State of Illinois is also considering implementing a similar measure against BPA, which has been linked to cancer, diabetes and other ailments.

Massachusetts

In August, 2009, Massachusetts became one of the first states to warn consumers about the danger of BPA. Massachusetts public health officials issued a warning to parents of young children urging them to avoid storing infant formula or breast milk in plastic bottles containing BPA. Officials also warned pregnant or breast-feeding women to avoid using food and drink containers that contain BPA to reduce fetal or infant exposure to the common chemical, suggesting they use glass or stainless steel containers instead. The warning follows a year-long review of the chemical. Health advocates applauded the warning but urged Massachusetts officials to go one step further and ban the controversial chemical in all children’s products sold in the state.

New York: Nassau County, Long Island

Nassau County legislator and chairman of the Health and Social Services Committee, Dave Mejias, Democrat of Farmingdale, has drafted a bill similar to the Suffolk bill banning BPA baby products and plans to introduce it soon. Nassau County is in Long Island, New York.

New York: Suffolk County, Long Island

Legislators in Suffolk County, Long Island, unanimously banned BPA in baby bottles and toddler sippy cups on March 3, 2009. On April 16, the measure was signed by Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, making Suffolk County legislators the nation’s first governmental body to pass a BPA ban. The ban will fine retailers selling baby bottles or sippy cups containing the harmful chemical $500 for a first offense and $1000 for a second offense.

Companies and Stores Banning BPA

Retailers and manufacturers are also jumping on the BPA-free bandwagon. Gas and chemical company Sunoco, sent word to investors on March 12, 2009, that it will not sell BPA to companies for use in food and water containers for children younger than three years old. The company is the first manufacturer to do so, telling investors that it cannot be certain of BPA’s safety.

Also in March, 2009, six baby-bottle manufacturers, Playtex, Gerber, Evenflo, Avent America and Disney First Years announced that they will stop using BPA in baby bottles, thanks to the efforts of the Attorney Generals in Connecticut, Delaware and New Jersey.

Retailers CVS, Target, Babies ‘R’ Us, Toys ‘R’ Us and Wal-Mart have been phasing out the chemical in their children’s products. CVS spokesman, Mike DeAngelis, said the pharmacy chain is "transitioning out of baby bottles with BPA" and should be free of them by mid 2009. A Target spokeswoman said the chain removed baby bottles and sippy cups with BPA from shelves in January of 2009. A spokesman for Babies R Us claimed all of the baby bottles and baby feeding products the company sells now are BPA-free. Back in April 18, 2008, Wal-Mart said it would stop selling baby bottles made with BPA in its U.S. stores by early 2009. Toys 'R' Us Inc. has also removed products containing BPA from their shelves because of the growing BPA controversy.

Last updated: April 27, 2009

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