The Secret Migration

Fears over Bisphenol A presence in Baby Feeding Products

In 2008 we have seen another rise of concern over the safety of Bisphenol A (BPA) plastics being used for the manufacture of food and liquid carrying products. Whilst it is still a subject of considerable debate, some retailers and consumers have already decided that any risk, no matter how minimal, is too much.

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been used in the production of certain plastics for over half a century and is a key monomer in the production of polycarbonate, a popular thermoplastic polymer used for a range of houseware products due to its temperature resistance, impact resistance and optical properties. However, since the 1930's, there have been concerns that the substance may be hazardous to humans and these concerns have resurfaced again 2008.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of a number of 'endocrine disrupter' substances that might have the potential to interact with human hormones, particularly the reproductive hormones. Whilst evidence of this has only been shown in some wildlife species that have come into contact with endocrine disrupter, there is still no conclusive evidence that these substances have a direct harmful effect on human reproduction health.

There has been, and continues to be a considerable amount of debate over the health risks involved in the use of BPA containing products such as food containers, plastic bottles and tableware. Scientific studies on the subject have been carried out and differences in opinion have also arisen from the results of these studies. For instance, the Environment California report concludes that BPA is hazardous at low doses although American, European and Japanese government agencies conclude that the exposure to most people is negligible.

In Europe , the acceptable amount and level of migration of BPA is limited to 0.6mg/kg which is considered safe and within the TDI (tolerable daily intake). The UK Food Standards Agency have published details of a study carried out to identify the levels of BPA migration from polycarbonate food contact products under the ‘ worst foreseeable conditions' and the report concluded all migration results were very much less than the specific migration limits for BPA.

The mixed messages are very confusing for the consumer. Parents may be especially for concerned as BPA polycarbonate is used to produce most plastic food and liquid containing products including baby bottles, tableware and toys. Concern has even been so great that in the city of San Francisco , a ban has been enacted on toys and other plastic products containing Bisphenol A for children under three years old - Possibly as a result of the Environment California report. Either way, specified migration limits and detection levels have been deemed safe by official government research agencies in the US , UK , Europe and Japan .

For parent's in the UK who may still be worried about the content of their baby feeding products, Babyway International have developed and launched a range of BPA free baby feeding products. The Little Wonders BPA free range is the first of its kind available in the UK and includes bottles, table wear and dummies.