Baby Development – Toys ‘R' Us to Phase out Bisphenol A Baby Bottles

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

The news that a dangerous chemical known as Bisphenol A (BPA) has been found to be potentially harmful, particularly to infants, has sent parents scrambling for insight as to what to do next.  Mum Mum’s has vowed to keep readers up to date with new information, and it seems the media frenzy has resulted in some positive outcomes.  The ever popular toy store Toys ‘R” Us said Monday all baby bottles containing BPA will be pulled from the shelves by the end of the year.

While very few scientists, businesses, and physicians alike will provide a definitive protocol as to plastic baby bottle usage and their safety; it appears some companies feel the preliminary studies recently provided are enough to take action and are attempting to eliminate any risk posed to infants and children.

The company’s bold move to get rid of BPA laden baby bottles follows a federal government announcement that Canada will ban the import and sale of polycarbonate baby bottles containing BPA.  Canada will be the first country in the world to ban BPA if the ban proceeds as planned.

Canada’s government ban would not affect other plastic containers containing the chemical, only plastic baby bottles.  A Health Canada assessment found BPA does not pose a health risk to most Canadians, but newborns are particularly sensitive to the chemical.  Peer-reviewed journals have recently published animal studies finding BPA can increase ovarian and breast cancer tumor growth in addition to the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Toys ‘R’ Us is not only company taking precautions.  Wal-Mart also said it plans to phase out the baby bottles by the end of 2009.  Many people felt safe using the popular Nalgene brand polycarbonate reusable water bottles made by Nalgene Outdoor Products, but the company stated Friday it will stop making the bottles because they are made with BPA.