Some studies have concluded that the degree to which Bisphenol A leaches from polycarbonate containers into the liquid appears to depend more on the temperature of the liquid, i.e. more leaching with higher temperatures.

If you are concerned about what temperature to heat your bottles, Philips AVENT suggests using a bottle warmer that can be programmed to heat liquid according to volume, which will help regulate temperature. We do not recommend microwaving bottles as it can alter the composition of breast milk and formula and may create "hot spots" in the liquid.

As far as BPA leaching is concerned, while there is some evidence of greater leaching at high temperatures, any leaching is far below the limits set by EFSA. However, if parents are concerned we suggest they boil water in their kettle and allow it to cool in the kettle for a time before pouring it directly into a sterilised bottle.

The number 7 that many people have referred to often appears as follows:

It does NOT indicate whether an item contains BPA. It is a globally used labelling scheme that tells people the type of plastic and how / if it can be recycled. The number 7 is used for several plastics, including those that contain BPA as well as those that DO NOT CONTAIN BPA. Simply looking for recycling code 7 will not determine whether it contains BPA. To help parents, Philips AVENT introduced clearer labelling on the packaging of its baby feeding bottles.

These symbols were created to identify plastics for recycling purposes. To help parents idenify BPA-free products, Philips AVENT introduced clearer labelling on the packaging of its BPA-free baby feeding bottles.

As far as BPA leaching is concerned, while there is some evidence of greater leaching at high temperatures, any leaching is far below the limits set by EFSA. However, if parents are concerned we suggest they boil water in their kettle and allow it to cool in the kettle for a time before pouring it directly into a sterilised bottle.

Yes. This is already indicated in our directions for use where it states: Excessive concentrations of detergents may eventually cause plastic components to crack. Should this occur, replace immediately. We recommend this course of action not because the bottles contain BPA but because cracked bottles are more challenging to clean and can be dangerous as liquid may leak out from the bottle and result in injury to the infant.

We can speak only for the Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Steriliser. Microwave sterilisers have been used for a number of years and provide a fast, efficient and effective method of sterilising for busy parents. The Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Steriliser passes all relevant safety standards. It also does not contain BPA as it is made from Polypropylene.

Again, we can only speak for our steam steriliser which passes all relevant global safety standards for electrical products. It does not contain BPA as it is made from Polypropylene.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastic is used for baby bottles (as well as water bottles, medical devices, sports equipment etc.) because it is less likely to crack or shatter, which can lead to injuries.

Some scientists are worried that BPA can leach from the plastic into liquid held in the baby bottle, especially when bottles are heated to extreme temperatures, and the chemical may affect the body, particularly in young children. It's important to note that to date there have been no definitive studies on the effects of BPA on humans, and the evidence available today is based mainly on the study of laboratory animals such as mice.

The use of plastic for baby bottles is regulated by authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). They have created a clear guide to their review of this topic on their website

In July 2008, EFSA addressed the difference between infants and adults in clearing BPA from the body. Results confirmed that exposure to BPA was well below the Tolerable Daily Intake of 0.05 mg/kg body weight for both adults and newborns. Indeed, after exposure to BPA the human body rapidly metabolises and eliminates the substance. Newborns can similarly clear BPA at levels far in excess of the TDI.

When asked how much can be consumed without harm, EFSA commented: "A 3-month-old bottle-fed baby that weighs around 6 kg would need to consume more than 4 times the usual number of bottles of baby formula a day before it would reach the Tolerable Daily Intake".

The original Philips AVENT reusable bottle is made from polycarbonate and, therefore, contains BPA. For parents who are seeking alternatives to polycarbonate plastic, the Philips AVENT VIA Feeding System and Magic range (Cups and Sportster), both of which can be used interchangeably with Philips AVENT teats, are made from polypropylene or polyethylene - neither of which contains BPA. Philips AVENT has also introduced reusable bottles made from BPA-free plastic.

No. Our existing range of baby feeding products includes products made from materials other than polycarbonate, hence not containing BPA. The Philips AVENT VIA Feeding System and Magic range (Cups and Sportster), both of which can be used interchangeably with Philips AVENT teats, are made from polypropylene or polyethylene - neither of which contains BPA.

The Tempo range works using a disposable liner and, while the nurser itself is made from Polycarbonate plastic, the disposable liner is BPA-free which means there is no contact between liquids and plastic containing BPA.

Philips AVENT has also introduced reusable bottles made from BPA-free plastic.

We will continue to evaluate and respond to changes in demand in each market to ensure we are meeting the needs of our consumers and retail partners.

Our new PES reusable bottle is clearly labelled "BPA-free".

Philips AVENT is evaluating each market to ensure we are meeting the needs of our consumers and retail partners. We understand parents are looking for choice and have extended our range with an additional BPA-free feeding solution, a new reusable baby bottle made from polyethersulfone (PES). This is in addition to our existing BPA-free options, which include the Philips AVENT Via System and Magic range (Cups and Sportster).

In evaluating the U.S. market, we considered the increasing consumer demand for BPA-free options and the resulting decision by some of our retail partners to offer only BPA-free products. At the end of last year we took the decision to only ship our BPA-free range to our retail partners in the U.S.

We can confirm from independent testing and a declaration from our supplier that the polyethersulfone used to make our BPA-free reusable bottle does not contain bisphenol-A.

Some components of the Electric Breast Pumps are made from polycarbonate plastic, and therefore contain BPA. Some scientists are worried that BPA can leach at dangerous levels from the plastic and into the liquid held in the baby bottle, especially when bottles are heated to extreme temperatures. Since liquid is not held in the breast pump this would not be of concern. Philips AVENT is evaluating each market to ensure we are meeting the needs of our consumers and retail partners. We understand parents are looking for choice and are currently developing a BPA-free Breast Pump solution made from polyethersulfone (PES).

Poylethersulphone - commonly called PES. A BPA-free plastic with a natural honey coloured tint.

We are currently rolling out a new BPA-free bottle globally, as an addition to our already diverse range of infant feeding products. The new BPA-free (PES) bottle is currently available in North America, Australia, China (including Hong Kong), Chile, France, Germany, New Zealand, Nordics, Singapore, Taiwan, UK.

The bottle was first made available in North America and Canada in September 2008.

+ European Food Safety Authority
+ Federal Drug Administration
+ Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
+ Food Standards Agency
+ National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
+ UK National Childbirth Trust
+ Canadian Plastics Industry Association
+ Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (BPA library)
+ Bisphenol A.org
+ Bisphenol A Free.org
+ CBC
+ WebMD

We have been manufacturing baby bottles for nearly 25 years and we completely stand by all our products. We are evaluating each market to ensure we are meeting the needs of our consumers and retail partners.

The use of plastic for baby bottles is regulated by authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). They have created a clear guide to their review of this topic on their website.

In July 2008, EFSA addressed the difference between infants and adults in clearing BPA from the body. Results confirmed that exposure to BPA was well below the Tolerable Daily Intake of 0.05 mg/kg body weight for both adults and newborns. Indeed, after exposure to BPA the human body rapidly metabolises and eliminates the substance. Newborns can similarly clear BPA at levels far in excess of the TDI.

When asked how much can be consumed without harm, EFSA commented: "A 3-month-old bottle-fed baby that weighs around 6 kg would need to consume more than 4 times the usual number of bottles of baby formula a day before it would reach the Tolerable Daily Intake".

In response to Health Canada's ban of baby bottles which contain BPA, we now only sell our BPA-free range in the Canadian market.