Concerns are on the rise about the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA. It’s used to make a variety of food containers, including some plastic baby bottles. The National Institutes of Health issued a draft report this spring expressing concern about BPA’s health risks for infants and children. The latest laboratory research suggests it may affect the brain and the prostate and may cause other health problems. The Canadian government recently moved to ban BPA in baby bottles.
Bisphenol A, is found in baby bottles made of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a hard, translucent plastic. It can be clear or colored. Containers made of polycarbonate may have a recycling code on the bottom. If so, it will be the number seven.
Some stores and Web sites now sell plastic bottles labeled “without BPA,” or “Bisphenol-A Free.” Consumer Reports used an outside lab that specializes in plastic analysis to run tests on several of these bottles and found that BPA levels are negligible.
They tested bottles are:
BornFree, 9 fl. oz. or 5 fl. oz. twin packs, by BornFree, Inc.
Evenflo Classic without BPA Custom Flow, 8 oz., tinted.
Medela Breast Milk Feeding and Storage Set, 5 oz. feeding and storage bottles.
Nuby Non-Drip, multicolored, by Luv n’care, LTD, 10 oz. or 7 oz.
MAM Silk-Touch Nipple Anti-Colic Valve (UltiVent), 9 oz., by Sassy, Inc.
Consumer Reports says these are better choices if you want to use plastic bottles and limit your baby’s exposure to BPA.
Another option for parents concerned about BPA is to use glass bottles. But, of course, you have to handle these with care because they’re breakable.
Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.
Copyright © 2004-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars & trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports' Web site. Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org.
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