Pressure from scientists and consumer groups for reduction in the use of bisphenol A (BPA)

See article in the Independent. "Andrew Watterson, professor of environmental health at the University of Stirling and a signatory to the letter, said: "It's worrying, considering the weight of the scientific evidence, that strong action to reduce human exposure is yet to be taken. Hundreds of academic studies have explicitly raised the risks of developmental harm to foetuses and young children from exposure to BPA and this should dictate a strong precautionary policy response from European regulators.""

Britain still permits controversial chemical Bisphenol-A to be used in the manufacture of a range of plastic products

Britain still permits controversial chemical Bisphenol-A to be used in the manufacture of a range of plastic products, including water bottles and the lining of food and beverage cans, like "the lining of 18 out of 20 best-selling canned food items including Heinz baked beans, Napolina tomatoes, and John West and Princes fish, as well as in tuna and sardines cans from major UK retailers Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda."

See report in the Independent and report in Food Safety News.

Fears are growing over the safety of a chemical, bisphenol A, or BPA, found in plastic baby bottles.

Baby bottles contain 'harmful' chemical

Extract from the Telegraph:

"American scientists have issued a warning over bisphenol A, or BPA, which they say can affect the reproductive, neurological and immune systems.

Now the National Childbirth Trust has asked for all plastic baby bottles to be clearly labelled for BPA content.

The US retail giant Wal-Mart has already said it would stop selling bottles made with the chemical, while the Canadian government wants it banned altogether.

Scientists with the US National Toxicology Programme concluded that BPA “can cause changes in behaviour and the brain, prostate gland, mammary gland and the age at which females attain puberty”."