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B.P.A. and Canada

It has been widely reported that Canada intends to ban the import and sale of plastic polycarbonate baby bottles. Just do a Google search and you’ll find plenty of media outlets following up with similar reports as this one on MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24200546/

Although Nalgene sport bottles are often cited in the media coverage, most of the research being conducted is focused on BPA’s impact on newborns and infants up to 18 months of age.

These stories are based on the suggestions from Health Canada, the Federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health. But as usual, there is more to the story than what our media portrays. Here’s what Health Canada said:

“Canada is the first country in the world to complete a risk assessment of bisphenol A in consultation with industry and other stakeholders, and to initiate a 60 day public comment period on whether to ban the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles which contain bisphenol A.”

And later in the same press release:

“It was determined that the main source of exposure for newborns and infants is through the use of polycarbonate baby bottles when they are exposed to high temperatures and the migration of bisphenol A from cans into infant formula. The scientists concluded in this assessment that bisphenol A exposure to newborns and infants is below levels that may pose a risk, however, the gap between exposure and effect is not large enough.”

And finally:

“To be prudent, the Government of Canada is proposing to reduce bisphenol A exposure in infants and newborns by proposing a number of actions: to ban polycarbonate baby bottles; to develop stringent migration targets for bisphenol A in infant formula cans; to work with industry to develop alternative food packaging and develop a code of practice; and to list bisphenol A under Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.”

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2008/2008_59_e.html

This is far from the condemnation of B.P.A. that was widely reported by the press. Canada is certainly one of the most proactive countries when it comes to research and consumer protection. But their own conclusions are that the levels of exposure to newborns are below those that pose a risk.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 25th, 2008 at 7:32 am and is filed under Product Safety. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

B.P.A. and Canada

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