BPA makers ask FDA for ban

American Chemistry Council petitions FDA to phase out rule allowing BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups.

Mon, Oct 10 2011 at 8:00 AM EST

Photo: amdavis/sxc.hu

Yes, you read that title right. A coalition of companies that produce BPA have asked the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to phase out rules that allow BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups. Their reasoning? The group claims those products haven't contained the plastic-hardening ingredient for at least two years.

It's certainly an unusual request. Essentially, the makers of BPA, represented by the American Chemistry Council, are asking the FDA to ban BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups. But it's no coincidence that the move comes just a few days after California passed its controversial bill banning BPA in these same products.

According to the American Chemistry Council, the request "eliminates the need for state and federal governments to spend further time and effort on a matter that has no practical outcome." The group produced research stating that the six leading makers of baby bottles stopped using BPA in 2009. And the 13 major BPA producers currently do not sell the chemical to bottle makers.

Some consumer groups have hailed the move as a win for those hoping to get BPA out of all products, calling it the "writing on the wall" for the future of BPA. But others see it as a smoke-and-mirrors attempt to head off tougher laws that would ban the chemical from other types of packaging.

Federal lawmakers, including Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, have introduced legislation banning BPA from all canned food, water bottles and food containers, products not addressed in the industry's FDA request.

What do you think? Does this move by BPA manufacturers indicate the beginning of the end for BPA, or is it just an attempt to boost public image and draw attention away from the potential health risks of the chemical?

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