BPA Free – Safe Baby Bottles

Babies “R” Us is the only UK retail store that stocks glass born free bottles.  After traversing the country – Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen -  in search of the glass bottles I have returned empty handed!  They have sold out.  

My issue with plastic bottles made from polycarbonate is that they can release a hormone-disrupting chemical known as bisphenol-A, or BPA, which is toxic.  Furthermore, in the UK there is no legislation to force manufacturers to label products making it very difficult to select the safest product.  Even if your bottle is ’safe’ what about the plastic in the teat or nipple?

Reports suggest that small amounts of BPA may leach into infant formula or breast milk stored in polycarbonate containers, especially when the contents are heated.  Worryingly, scratched or damaged bottles can leach up to nearly double that of new bottles.

“Animal studies show that BPA can interfere with the development and cause irreversible damage. BPA has interfered with the development of every system in which it has been tested. The earlier the exposure, the greater the damage. Accumulating laboratory evidence suggests that exposure to BPA could be linked to breast and prostate cancer, diabetes, obesity, ADHD, and autism.” Source: Healthy Child Healthy World*

The UK is moving at a snail’s pace when it comes to banning the potentially toxic substance bisphenol-A (BPA) from plastic bottles. My search of high street and supermarket shelves indicates that retailers are slowly introducing BPA free bottles.  However, they continue to stock bottles made from polycarbonate and I haven’t found one ‘bricks and mortar’ retailer on my travels offering the safest alternative – glass.

Whilst the UK health watchdog Food Standards Agency insists the plastic bottles are safe**, the Canadian government is banning the production and use of BPA.  Meanwhile, the WWF is calling on the UK government to ban or phase out the production and use of BPA, especially in products for children.

To protect your baby when bottle feeding:

• Select plastic bottles made of tempered glass or polyethylene or polypropylene (recycling symbols 1, 2 or 5).
• Download the  [Download not found].

Given the risks in polycarbonates and other plastics such as PVC  I have decided to use glass bottles exclusively.

How easy have you found it to find safe BPA-free bottles or feeding equipment in the UK?

Ali’s Bisphenol A (BPA) in Baby Bottle and Feeding Equipment Reference Sites:

* Healthy Child Healthy World – Feeding with the Bottle

** BBC – Baby Bottle Chemical is Removed

*** EWG Guide to Bottles

NCT Press Statement Bisphenol A – Risk From Baby Feeding Bottles

WWF – Call on UK Government to Ban Bisphenol A