Baby bottle safety

Posted by Andrew Wadge on May 6th 2008 in Science, safety and health

The Canadian government looks to be moving towards restricting the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact plastics. BPA is a chemical used in the manufacture of plastics and resin. These materials are then widely used to make many things from baby bottles to food containers and tableware.

Very small amounts of BPA can migrate from these materials into foods and beverages and may have the potential to interact with hormone systems in the body. That said, despite extensive research world-wide, there is no conclusive evidence of a link between adverse trends in human reproductive health and exposure to these chemicals. In addition, levels of chemical migration are already strictly monitored and controlled within the EU.

As a parent, I realise how important it is to ensure the well-being and safety of your children.  This is why I welcomed the opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) last year that concluded, following an extensive review, that dietary exposure to BPA, including that of infants and children, is estimated to be well below tolerable daily intake or TDI. The TDI is an estimate of the amount of a substance, expressed on a body weight basis that can be ingested over a lifetime without appreciable risk.

This means, in terms of BPA exposure, a three month old, bottle-fed baby, weighing 6kg would need to consume more than four times the usual number of bottles of baby formula each day before it would even reach the TDI.

Here at the Food Standards Agency we will, of course, be paying close attention to all the latest research as it is important that the food we eat and the food we feed our children is safe.

add new comment

Longterm effects of BPS

Posted by Concerned mom (not verified) on 12/01/2009 - 18:49

I just read the posting from the mother who had been heating formula and letting in cool in a polycarb bottle and possibly exposing her baby to much higher amounts of BPA than under usual circumstances. Is there any research that shows the longterm effects of doing this? If a baby was exposed to high doses for a short period of time, does it cause permanent health issues? Should parents be watching for any "red flags" with their child's health -- either physical or emotional/hormonal even years after injesting BPA? Any information would be helpful. Thanks

BPA babies bottles

Posted by Anonymous (not verified) on 03/10/2008 - 20:02

I breast feed my baby for the first 2 months then gave her formula milk. I can't remember when but my husband and I started to put boiling water into the plastic bottles for her feed, and then let it cool down.We made up a few bottles in one go this way.We did this for about four months until I heard about the BPA then used glass bottles. Having read new scientist articles that this is the worst I feel I have jepodised my babies health.

BPA alternative baby bottles

Posted by Steven Man (not verified) on 18/08/2008 - 20:13

Hi Andrew,
I have a 10 month son and have just returned from Hong Kong. They are also still selling BPA bottles but also have on sale a BPA-free bottle made from PPSU or known as Polyphenylsulfone.
What I would like to ask is your opinion on this PPSU product as I have yet to see this in the UK.
I also did some research and it appears that this PPSU product is being sold in Canada and has been introduced in the US.
Would there be any testing carried out on this PPSU product as a safe and approved product for baby bottles...?
I look forward to your reply.

BPA

Posted by Anonymous (not verified) on 30/05/2008 - 20:19

How do I know which plastics contain this toxin because I don't want to unwittingly buy more bottles/containers etc with it. I drink loads of bottled water at thome and at work and gym as do my children as well as having the usual plastic tubs for fridge foods and lunches. Guidance like this would help me make choices until we all know what the low down on BPAs really is

baby bottles and BPA

Posted by Rupinder (not verified) on 18/05/2008 - 21:24

Dear Andrew,
I have a daughter Eleanor(5) and son Dylan(2). Eleanor was botttlefed from day 1 and up until recently had a baby bottle with a straw in it.(dylan was mainly breastfed). I am a worry wart and when this hit the news lately I was extremely worried to the point of not sleeping well. I was worried that I had exposed my daughter to this chemical and therefore increased her risk of her getting breast canceras well as other health problems.I have looked into the research and even my husband has said eleanors exposure to this chemical is well below the tolerable daily level and we did follow manufacturers instructions making her botttle feeds.He also said that as she was putting on more weight and also cutting down on her feeds from about 6 months, this meant her exposure to Bpa was even greatly reduced. I suppose I just want extra reassurance, you do worry about your kids having any kind of exposure I guess.

Further advice

Posted by Andrew Wadge on 14/05/2008 - 15:48

Dear Theresa and Sarah,

Thanks for your comments. Plastic food containers are generally fine to heat, either in hot water or the microwave, but you should always follow the manufacturers' instructions. There are rules in place that limit the amount of BPA that is allowed to get into our food, and this is much lower than the levels that independent experts say can be eaten safely. These rules will take into account the normal use of the product. There is more information on BPA on our eatwell website that you may find helpful.

I understand that you may be concerned, but don't forget it's really important to make sure that food and infant formula is heated properly to kill any harmful bugs that could be in it, especially for young children. You can find more advice on keeping food safe, and feeding your baby on eatwell.

Re: BPA and exposure of toxic substances to foods in general

Posted by Theresa (not verified) on 06/05/2008 - 20:04

What worries me with regard to your comments in thge press earlier today is that you are prepared to accept that any level of forced intake of bisphenol-A is 'well below tolerable daily intake'. And then there are other considerations; It's all very well saying it's 'OK' in isolation - have you considered what it's reactions are when mixed with the number of other toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis - food or otherwise?

Are far as I'm concerned, any level of toxicity is too much and should not be considered.

BPA contained in babies' bottles

Posted by Sarah (not verified) on 06/05/2008 - 17:38

I am a mother of a 3 year old and a 6 month old baby and have heard the news about BPA in babies' bottles. I am now worried and confused about how to sterilise my baby's bottles and also how to fill them (with boiled water or not??)and warm them. Also, now that she is starting to eat purees I have recently purchased some plastic containers for storing home-made purees in - on the packaging it clearly states that they are microwavable and safe in freezer and dishwasher - but isn't it the heat that causes the BPA to leach out? Should I therefore not be heating the purees in the microwave?? I am cross that dangerous plastic chemicals are even allowed near food/food storage containers and are allowed to be manufactured, even if the risk is small. I understand that there are alternatives - why isn't government persuading the manufacturers to use the alternatives? I'm sure most people wouldn't want to be exposed to this chemical, no matter how small the risk is. Please could you publish some guidelines for mothers?