A law restricting an industrial chemical in baby bottles and other food products for children has been passed by the California State Assembly.
The
legislation introduced by South Bay Assemblywoman Betsy Butler seeks to
limit Bisphenol-A (BPA), which has been used in hard plastic
containers and the liners of metal food and beverage cans since the
1960s.
The National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have expressed concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infant and young children. The agencies are currently conducting studies on BPA.
The European Union and Canada have banned the chemical's use in baby bottles.
"The science on BPA shows cause for alarm and it's a shame that we have failed to protect our more vulnerable citizens from this toxic chemical," Butler said in a statement.
"Every child from every community in our state deserves access to safe products. This is a fight worth having because big chemical money should not be allowed to trump the health of babies in California."
The bill, AB 1319, the Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act, would limit the amount of BPA permitted in any bottle, cup, infant formula, baby food or beverage intended for a child age 3 and younger to 0.1 parts per billion. The law's effective date is July 1, 2013.
If the law is passed by the state Senate, California would join Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Wisconsin and Washington, which have enacted similar bans.
