The Food and Drug Administration officially banned BPA from use in baby bottles and sippy cups. However, manufacturing companies who make these products had already stopped using the contentious estrogen-mimicking chemical years ago.
According to The New York Times, the FDA made its decision to ban BPA in bottles and sippy cups based on a request from the American Chemistry Council. The Council had determined that all bottle and sippy cup manufacturers had already stopped using BPA.
Michael Taylor, deputy commissioner for foods at the FDA, explained that the choice, "solidifies legally that the use will not happen again in the future" in baby bottles and toddler cups. However, the FDA, "has been looking hard at BPA for a long time, and based on all the evidence, we continue to support its safe use."
NPR's food blog, The Salt, reports that there has been confusion about the lingering presence of BPA in products for children despite manufacturers' unanimous decision to discontinue use. The subject, "had become an unnecessary distraction to consumers, legislators, and state regulators," stated Steven Hentges, a spokesperson for the FDA.
While the new ban provides absolute certainty for consumers about the two products in question, many are quick to criticize the FDA because it was already voluntarily in effect. Additionally, the FDA refused to ban BPA from all food packaging in March 2012. The agency continues to do research on the chemical, but still supports its safe use despite voicing "some concern" about the impact of the chemical.
According to the Associated Press, BPA easily gets into food from its packaging and is present in 90 percent of Americans' urine. The FDA continues to state that the agency still isn't sure what the exact effects of BPA are in humans, but the chemical has been shown to cause problems with reproductive and nervous system development in rodents and other animals.
Many organic and health conscious companies have already made the switch to BPA-free packaging. Even large manufacturers like
Campbell's have recently decided to use BPA-free cans to appease customers who no longer consume products that are stored in packaging made with BPA.
Do you think BPA should be banned from all food packaging?
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