May
16
FDA defending BPA
Filed Under Articles, Bisphenol-A | Comments Off
After recently reporting that the FDA was going to take another look at the safety of BPA, it looks as if the FDA won’t recommend that consumers stop using products containing Bisphenol-A.
For its part, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., makers of Nalgene bottles, have announced that they will stop using polycarbonate. Wal-Mart says it expects all baby bottles it carries to be free of the material by early next year, and Toys R Us has discussed a similar plan.
If such major players are clearly expressing concern over BPA, what legs does the FDA have to stand on for its reassurance? According to Reuters, the FDA’s associate commissioner for science, Norris Alderson, said the feds are reviewing safety concerns, and pointed to two industry-funded studies claiming it poses no risk.
I’ll tell you why companies are eradicating products made of polycarbonate, and stores are eliminating it from their shelves. It’s because of consumers, not because of the FDA. I had an interesting conversation with a representative from the makers of Dr. Brown’s bottles. The sales of the original Dr. Brown’s polycarbonate bottles are still going strong. They still maintain that it’s safe to use (he even stated they used them for his own child) and as long as there’s a market for it, they’re going to continue to manufacture them. But even if the FDA doesn’t back down, people are still going to want the choice. While it bothers me that the FDA is sticking to its original statement, people are become more aware, and if they’re anything like me (without getting too political here), they don’t trust that the FDA really cares about our safety anyway.
Source: The Daily Green
May
14
MAM Moving Towards More BPA Free Products
Filed Under Bisphenol-A | Comments Off
When I learned of all this BPA (Bisphenol-a) stuff last year I was bummed to find out that my son’s beloved pacifier, a MAM Ulti, had a polycarbonate shield. We have thankfully, rid him of the pacifier habit now that he’s well over 2 years old. But making a child change their pacifier is not a fun task.
So far we’ve been aware of MAM’s BPA Free bottles, and I’ve seen their BPA FREE labeled boxes at the grocery store over the last month or two. They have 2 types of bottles and a training cup on the market made of polypropylene: the MAM ULTIvent Anti-Colic Bottle, the MAM Drink Easy Bottle and the MAM Transition Trainer. (all pictured above) One of my good friends emailed me a newsletter she received from MAM today. In it MAM announced plans to go further with BPA Free products:
MAM sets standards for the well-being of babies, small children and parents and therefore - 3 years before this debate – took an innovative step and started making bottles out of Polypropelene (PP), a BPA free plastic. Thus MAM baby bottles provide a good night sleep for parents and babies.
But MAM has gone even one step further: Although the current debate relates to bottles only, MAM already decided to offer further BPA free products including for example soothers.
Parents and babies benefit from the perfect combination of safety and design, making early experiences relaxed and fun.
BPA Free MAM Binkies! Hooray! While I can’t find evidence of this on their public website, (and I had do do a double take on their spelling of ploypropylene) it’s slightly reassuring that some companies are taking our demands seriously, even if it’s just to maintain sales.
May
7
FAQ: What’s In My Toddler’s Toothbrush?
Filed Under Bisphenol-A, Dear SafeMama, FAQ, Skin Care | 4 Comments
Note: This was originally published on April 13th but we reposted with some new data, see below.
As the mother of a 2 year old who does occasionally chew on his toothbrush, I wondered of it’s safety. Apparently, I’m not alone in this and I’ve gotten a dozen emails from parents asking this very question. Do toothbrushes have Bisphenol-A in them?
Safe Mama Jaime, my new resident researcher, (Thanks Jaime!) took on the challenge of finding out what some those little toothbrushes are made of. In the interest of efficiency she contacted the a couple of the most popular child toothbrush carriers Oral-B and Learning Curve. Here are the results:
Oral-B carries a bevy of children’s toothbrushes, and we were pleased to find that ALL children’s toothbrushes are made with polypropylene (#5) plastic. The heads and bristles are made with Dupont Nylon Tynex, thermaplastic elastomer, brass staple wires, pigments, and some have the heat transfers.
Learning Curve reported in:
American Red Cross Toddler Toothbrush 2 Pack: Polypropylene #5 (outer) TPA Krayton (inner) and have nylon bristles
Infant to Toddler Oral Care Kit: Polypropylene #5 with nylon bristles;
Infant Finger Brush: Silicone
Alicia from The Soft Landing has already determined that the Sassy Teach Me Toothbrush Set and the Raz-A-Dazzle Silicone Toothbrush is Non-Toxic/BPA Free as well.
This is just a few popular ones, that thankfully are BPA free.
Updated May 7, 2008:
Gerber Grins & Giggles: Polycarbonate plastic toothbrush head and Nylon bristles. We therefore have to assume this toothbrush is not BPA Free.
We have feelers out on a few other brands so we’ll re-post as we get that information.
May
3
BPA in Canned Food: Tips to Avoid It
Filed Under Bisphenol-A, Safe Mama Tips | Comments Off
The Environmental Working Group published a study last year that was done on Bisphenol-a in canned food. Now that bottles and containers are under scrutiny in the media, I think it’s important to point out that BPA lurks in more than just your sippy cup. The EWG has been banging pots and pans together over BPA in canned for for a long time now and for good reason. The levels found in common cans of soup and baby formula are more than unsettling.
What’s even more upsetting is that while people are clamoring about where to return baby bottles, what they don’t know is that they could be exposed to much higher levels from canned food and canned infant formula than they realize, putting the bottle issue at the bottom of our lists of concerns.
Studies show canned foods are a predominant source of daily BPA exposure in our lives. Food and drink cans are lined with a BPA-containing plastic. Beverages appear to contain less BPA residues, while canned pasta and soups contain the highest levels. EWG found that the worst foods tested put pregnant women and formula-fed infants within an unacceptable margin of safety to levels that cause harmful effects in laboratory animals. Typical exposures are within a 10 to 100-fold range of the effects that cause harm in a laboratory setting.
If you’ve been reading us for any amount of time you’ll know what the adverse effects of BPA exposure are, but the extent could be far more extensive than we realize putting pregnant women and children at higher risks. Now, you don’t need to go checking for symptoms or anything, because there is none to speak of. The unknown and the possible effects are what makes the issue worrisome. What you can do, is make subtle changes to start eliminating BPA or reducing your exposure.
- Choose glass over canned when possible. It is true, lids on glass jars can have some traces of BPA from the coating but the levels of BPA in a glass container versus a can are substanital.
- Choose fresh or frozen. Frozen veggies are sometimes flash frozen right after harvest so they maintain a higher nutritional value than canned. Or scrap it all and buy fresh… even better, fresh organic.
- Choose powdered formula. If you don’t breastfeed, choose a formula in powdered form. Liquid baby formula has some of the highest BPA levels that the EWG tested. Read their recent study on BPA in baby formula.
- Seek out BPA Free Canned Goods. Some companies are starting to emerge with a new method of lining cans. Eden Organic is a good example. Their beans (only) are canned in BPA Free cans.
Sources: EWG’s Report on Canned Food
May
2
California’s Ban on BPA Passes Senate Health Committee
Filed Under Articles, Bisphenol-A | 3 Comments
Great news for California today. The senate health committee voted 6-3 to approve the “Toxin-Free Toddlers and Babies Act,” by Senator Carole Midgen.
The bill bans any detectable level of the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) from all toys and child care products sold in California. Bisphenol A is a widely used synthetic chemical and a key ingredient in plastics, including baby bottles, formula cans and the lining of other canned products.
Eight other states are moving legislation to do the same. If you don’t think that writing to your local senator makes a difference, this is proof.
Source: California Chronicle
Apr
30
FAQ: BPA in High Chair Trays
Filed Under Bisphenol-A, FAQ | 10 Comments
Dear Safe Mama, What about my child’s high chair trays? He eats off of it… does it have BPA? Phthalates? The plague? Help!
We’ve been asked a few times what materials high chairs are made of. The focus of all the BPA attention in the news and online has been on bottles and formula. Now that parents are becoming more aware of it they want to know more. Just where does it lurk? High chair trays were a smart place to wonder about since many people serve food off them to their kids, sans plates. I know I did. Why wash two things when you can wash one. But now people are wondering if serving food off them is the best idea in light of BPA. If trays were made of BPA laden polycarbonate plastic, the levels would be low and probably not have the same “danger” associated as bottles. But parents don’t care about “safe levels” anymore and just don’t want it in their products. Period.
Rest easy worried parents. So far it’s looking as though the material of choice for high chair trays is polypropylene (#5 on the recycling scale) and is BPA Free. Resident researcher Safe Mama Jaime did some legwork and called a few high chair companies. Here are the results:
Chicco: Trays are Polypropylene
Graco: All trays polypropylene except the wooden chair uses ABS plastic for the tray
Evenflo: Majestic Tray liners are polypropylene
Of course this isn’t every high chair known to man, but it’s a good indication that trays are mainly BPA Free. However, I have heard from friends that their trays are marked with a #7 on the recycling scale. Flip your tray over and check. If this is the case for you, please call the manufacturer and ask them to tell you what material it’s made of. If you find out please visit us and let us know your findings, either here in the comments or via email and we’ll add to this list.
Apr
29
ZAK! Designs BPA free.
Filed Under Bisphenol-A | 1 Comment
I’ve seen the character dishware sets in my local grocery store and Babies R Us and I’m sure you have too. I made a mental note to check them out, and then saw something sparkly and completely forgot about it. A quick check on google to see if I could find anything on them, turned up few results, so I contacted the company. They were very quick to respond, with their answer:
Our children’s products are all BPA free. Our plates and bowls are made from 100% melamine, which although it falls into the #7 recycling category it does not contain BPA. Our drink ware is made from polypropylene which falls into the #5 category.
We consistently test our products to ensure that we can safely guarantee them to be totally food contact safe for human use.
I hope this is helpful and we certainly appreciate your concern and interest in Zak Design products.
Given the fact that they have quite a few licensed character sets, I figured this would put parents minds at ease. We all know that there’s no amount of endless begging that occurs when kids see anything with their favorite character on it.
Apr
28
FDA reconsidering the safety of BPA
Filed Under Articles, Bisphenol-A | 4 Comments
No doubt if you’re living in the US, you’re frustrated by the fact that companies hide behind the FDA’s stance on BPA being safe. But the FDA is taking another look at the safety of Bisphenol-A.
The FDA isn’t recommending people stop using BPA, says Laura Tarantino, director of the FDA’s Office of Food Additive Safety. But the agency will take another look at the safety of baby bottles, formula cans and other products made with BPA, which has been shown to leach into food. Depending on their findings, she says, the agency could require changes in the way these products are made or the amount of BPA that’s allowed to be used.
While it certainly doesn’t seem like enough, at least it’s a step in the right direction.
Source: USA Today
Apr
25
One of my favorite blogs Z Recommends posted yesterday that Phillips Avent will be launching a BPA Free reusable plastic baby bottle this summer (2008). From Zrecs:
The bottle will compete directly with the company’s current “Airflex” model, a polycarbonate bottle sold widely in drugstores, department stores, and online. The new bottle, which will be made of a yet-undisclosed plastic, will be Avent’s first BPA-free bottle.
For a company that is very pro-BPA, it’s interesting to us that they are making an alternative. But this is news we’ve all been waiting for so it’s certainly a step forward. Philips Avent has also published a Materials Chart outlining what products contain BPA. Thanks Zrecs!
Apr
22
Toys R Us Going BPA Free by End of 2008
Filed Under Articles, Bisphenol-A | 7 Comments
The toy monster Toys R Us said Monday they’ll be phasing out all baby bottles and feeding products containing Bisphenol-a by the end of the year. This is nothing short of good news that chain stores are taking this seriously. From a Washington Post article:
Statement by Toys R Us spokesman Bob Friedland “Toys”R”Us, Inc. is committed to the safety of all its customers and is vigilant about staying current with emerging scientific and other thinking about ingredients in products sold in its stores. While the FDA has not changed its position on the safety of products made with Bisphenol-A (BPA), in light of growing consumer concerns on this topic, the company has been working with manufacturers to phase out all baby bottles and other baby feeding products containing BPA in its Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores nationwide. This process is ongoing and is expected to be completed before the end of 2008.”
Also going BPA Free is Walmart by the beginning of 2009. We suspect other chains will follow suit in the coming days/weeks.
Source: Washington Post
US Consumer Product Safety Commission - Recent Child-Related Product Recalls- Manhattan Group Recalls Infant Rattles Due to Choking Hazard
- Maran Inc. Children's Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings Recalled Due to Strangulation Hazard; Sold Exclusively at TJ Maxx
- Children's Rain Ponchos with Drawstrings Recalled by Daiso Due to Strangulation Hazard
- Baby Bottle and Food Warmers Recalled by Munchkin Due to Fire Hazard
- Playworld Systems Recalls Swing Sets Due to Fall Hazard Caused by Defective Clevises
- ConsumerAffairs.Com Recalls and Safety Alerts
- EWG
- Consumer Reports
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