Connecticut Attorney General's Office
Press Release
Attorney General Announces Baby Bottle Makers Agree To Stop Using BPA; Calls For Legislative Ban
March 5, 2009
Last October, Blumenthal, joined by attorneys general of Delaware and New Jersey, wrote to the baby bottle companies urging them to stop using BPA because studies have linked the chemical to health problems in infants, including damage to reproductive, neurological and immune systems.
Blumenthal said, "All six major baby bottle companies -- Avent, Disney First Years, Gerber, Dr. Brown, Playtex and Evenflow -- have agreed to voluntarily ban BPA from bottles in a major public health victory."
Blumenthal said the continued threat of BPA in other products, particularly those used by infants and children, warrants immediate legislative action to completely ban BPA from certain children's products.
"This prompt positive response sends a profoundly significant message that baby bottle manufacturers respect the science showing BPA health dangers -- and will do the right thing," Blumenthal said. "Hopefully other industries will heed our plea, and a broader legislative ban will be approved this session.
"Voluntary BPA bans from baby bottles are good, but not good enough -- and must lead to complete prohibition. BPA in baby products can perilously leach into liquid, threatening pernicious and lasting health damage to infants.
"There is no excuse for this avoidable and unconscionable threat to continue. I am pleased that all baby bottle makers that I contacted have agreed to abandon BPA in baby bottles, but we must do more to protect our children. I am calling for a complete ban against BPA in baby products to stop this needless and negligent public health threat.
"Growing scientific evidence shows that even small amounts of BPA damages reproductive, neurological and immune systems. Experiments have linked even low levels of BPA to serious health problems, including prostate and breast cancer, early onset of puberty, obesity and diabetes.
"A recently released study by the Yale School of Medicine clearly shows that BPA can cause brain fluctuations and mood disorders in monkeys. Another recent study by federal health agencies confirmed that BPA may affect human development."
Sarah Uhl of Clean Water Action said, "This is a good first step, but the last thing we want is contaminated infant formula going into a safe bottle. We need to replace Bisphenol-A with safer solutions in all food containers as soon as possible."
Blumenthal sent letters to baby bottle manufacturers Avent, Disney First Years, Gerber, Dr. Brown, Playtex and Evenflow.
These proposals would bar the use of BPA in any product marketed for use by children under the age of 3; ban BPA from infant formula and baby food containers; and prohibit anyone from selling or distributing any reusable food or beverage container containing BPA if a safe alternative is available.