The chemical bisphenol-A, or BPA has been officially banned from
use in certain baby products, the US Food and Drug
Administration announced today. "FDA is amending the food
additive regulations to no longer allow BPA in the plastic used
to make baby bottles and sippy cups," said Curtis Allen, an FDA
spokesman. "As a result, consumers can be confident that these
products do not contain BPA. " The move came as a result of a
petition filed by the American Chemistry Council -- an
organization that represents "companies engaged in the business
of chemistry" --- including plastic companies - saying the
government should ban its use in these specific products.
"Although governments around the world continue to support the
safety of BPA in food contact materials, confusion about whether
BPA is used in baby bottles and sippy cups had become an
unnecessary distraction to consumers, legislators and state
regulators," wrote Steven G. Hentges, a spokesman for the ACC in
a statement. Despite the move being seen as largely