BPA Update
What is BPA?
BPA is an industrial chemical used as the starting material for the production of
polycarbonate plastics and synthetic resins. BPA is found in items or containers that
come into contact with foodstuffs such as drinking vessels, baby bottles, plastic tableware
and the internal coating on tins for tinned-food. In some circumstances, chemicals in
food packaging can migrate into the food product, and vice versa, depending on the
nature of the packaging and the food contained within.
What are the health effects of BPA?
Bisphenol A does not cause cancer. BPA belongs to a group of substances which can act
in a similar way to some hormones and, as such, are sometimes called ‘endocrine
disruptors’. Some studies in laboratory animals suggest that low levels of (consumed)
BPA may have an effect on the reproductive system. Similar consequences in
consumers at these low concentrations are considered unlikely because BPA is rapidly
inactivated and then excreted in the urine.
Are very low levels of BPA in food of a concern?
FSANZ has evaluated the safety of BPA and plasticisers in food, including that
consumed by infants from baby bottles and concluded that levels of intake of BPA or
plasticisers are very low and do not pose a risk to public health for any age group. For
example, a 5 kg baby would need to consume around 80 large (240 mL) baby bottles full
of infant formula a day, every day over a lifetime, before reaching the daily safety limit
for Bisphenol A of 50 micrograms/kilogram bodyweight per day. This would be around
fifteen to twenty times more than a baby would eat.
However, FSANZ is liaising closely with national and international regulators and
Australian industry on this issue in order to assess the new evidence and exposure levels
in Australia.
Is there anything I can do as a consumer?
Regulators around the world have concluded that exposure to low levels of BPA is safe.
However, when using baby bottles, always follow the instructions on the infant formula
for preparation and use. The following advice applies to all baby bottles or cups,
whatever type of plastic they are made from:
- Discard any scratched bottles or feeding cups as they may harbour germs
- Do not put boiling or very hot water, infant formula, or other liquids into
bottles while preparing them for your child
- Before mixing water with powdered infant formula, boil the water and cool
it to lukewarm
- Always remember: do not heat baby bottles of any kind in the microwave
- the liquid may heat unevenly and burn your baby
- Sterilize and clean bottles according to instructions on infant formula
labels and they should be left to cool to room temperature before adding
infant formula.
How are these chemicals regulated in Australia?
The regulation of chemicals in plastic articles for food use, including baby bottles, is a
shared responsibility of several Australian Government regulatory agencies: FSANZ for
the food sold in plastic containers; the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and
Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) for the safety of the industrial chemicals used; and the
Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) for the safety of the plastic
articles themselves.
Together, these agencies are assessing the overall safety findings on BPA and
plasticisers, and adopting a co-operative approach to address any issues arising in the
future.
FSANZ regulates food packaging materials through Standard 1.4.3 of the Food Standard
Code, which deals with food contact materials in general terms, and does not specify
individual packaging materials for food contact or how they should be produced or
used. However, with respect to plastic packaging products, the standard refers to the
Australian Standard for Plastic Materials for Food Contact Use, AS 2070-1999. This
Standard provides a guide to industry about the production of plastic materials for food
contact use. AS 2070, in turn, refers to regulations of the United States and European
Economic Community directives relevant to the manufacture and use of plastics. In
addition, the various Australian state and territory Food Acts make reference to food
packaging issues.
Standard 1.4.1 - Contaminants and Natural Toxicants of the Food Standard Code
regulates the levels of these substances that can be present in food from any source,
including as a result of contact with food packaging materials. Even if a specific
contaminant or toxicant is not listed in the standards, it sets out an expectation that all
other contaminants and toxicants be kept to levels as low as reasonably achievable.
In the event that a public health and safety issue arose in relation to food packaging
materials, including chemical constituents, FSANZ would undertake an assessment of the
risk on a case by case basis.
The ACCC monitors the safety of consumer products (including identifying and
assessing emerging hazards), investigates complaints about unsafe or hazardous goods,
maintains a register of safety-related product recalls and monitors the effectiveness of
these recalls. The ACCC’s role in relation to chemical concerns generally is to assess the
risk of chemical problems resulting from chemicals in consumer products and then to
take appropriate action.
The ACCC would not ordinarily be involved in food issues or in the packaging of food,
but the ACCC’s responsibilities do include consumer goods that may come in contact
with food, such as baby bottles and cookware. The ACCC is aware of the concerns raised
about BPA, and is currently liaising with other appropriate regulatory agencies on this
issue. The ACCC is also closely monitoring relevant scientific studies which assess the
safety of this, and other chemicals.
NICNAS assesses industrial chemicals that are new to Australia for their health and
environmental effects prior to their use. NICNAS also assesses those chemicals that are
already in use in Australia (existing chemicals) on a priority basis, in response to specific
concerns about potential health and/or environmental effects
For more information, please see the Food Standards Australia Website.
Happy Baby® products that are BPA Free!
All Happy Baby Softfeel™ Soothers are made in Australia and are entirely BPA
free.
Happy Baby® confirms that the materials used in making the majority of products
that we produce are BPA free. We are in the process of ensuring all Happy Baby
products are BPA free.
Products which are already BPA free include:
- Smart Portions™ Freezer Trays, Snack Pots, Click ‘n’ Go Bowl, Smart
Spoons, and Leaning Cup
- Steam'nGo™ steam sterilising pod and co-ordinating silicone soothers
- Gummy™ soothing teethers
- Snappi® Nappy Fasteners
- Steadiflow® Classic Glass Bottles
- Steadiflow® Silicone and Latex Teats
- Happy Baby Slimline Easy-hold Bottles - Polypropylene
- Happy Baby Wide Neck Bottles - Polypropylene
Old packaging
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New BPA Free Slimline Bottles
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Still the number one selling baby bottle in Australia!
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