Philips AVENT on Bisphenol A (BPA)
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What is Bisphenol A?
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.
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Why do some scientists think that BPA used in bottles is dangerous?
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, though, 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.
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Why haven’t bottles containing BPA been banned all over the world, then?
The use of plastic for baby
bottles is regulated by authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA found that BPA may be
“safely used as components of articles that contact food” and as recently as April 2008, it reconfirmed its long standing view regarding the safety of
polycarbonate for food contact, including its use with baby feeding bottles. In 2007, the European Food Safety Authority actually increased the level of BPA
it thinks is safe.
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Do Philips AVENT baby bottles contain Bisphenol A (BPA)?
The Philips AVENT Airflex reusable bottle
is made from polycarbonate and, therefore, contains BPA but parents should know that the use of polycarbonate in materials which come into contact with food
is approved in every single market where our products are sold including North America and Europe. 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 nipples, are
made from polypropylene or polyethylene – neither of which contains BPA. Philips AVENT will also be introducing a new bottle made from BPA-free plastic
towards the end of the year.
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Do ALL Philips AVENT feeding products contain Bisphenol A (BPA)?
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 nipples, 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 will also be introducing a new bottle made from BPA-free plastic towards the end of the year.
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Are you introducing a BPA-free bottle?
We will introduce a new BPA-free bottle towards the end of
the year as an addition to our already diverse range of infant feeding products.
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Does that mean you’re recalling bottles that contain BPA?
No. We have full confidence in our
bottles and we see no reason to withdraw them. This point of view is endorsed by regulators and governments all over the world who have declared that BPA
can be used in products that come into contact with food.
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How will I know if a product is BPA free?
Going forward we will provide clear information about the
materials we use on the packaging of our baby feeding products. Specifically, the packaging will identify whether the bottles are made from polycarbonate,
polypropylene or polyethersulfone (PES). We will also label our PES bottle ‘Bisphenol A-free’.
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You’ve said to parents that you are going to provide greater transparency. How are you going to do that?
We wholeheartedly believe that parents should be equipped with as much information as they require, helping them make informed decisions,
particularly in an environment where there is a lot of speculation and confusion. For that reason, we will be providing information about the materials we
use on the packaging of our baby feeding products. Specifically, the packaging will identify whether the bottles are made from polycarbonate, polypropylene
or polyethersulfone (PES). We will also label our PES bottle ‘Bisphenol A-free’.
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What else are you doing to help parents?
We have put together this online resource aimed at helping
parents better understand the materials used in the manufacture of its products; providing answers to their questions on the use of polycarbonate plastic;
and directing them to additional sources of information.
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Are you phasing out polycarbonate?
We have been manufacturing baby bottles for nearly 25 years and
we completely stand by our products and see no reason to phase out polycarbonate at this stage although we will continue to look at all of the options.
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Are Philips AVENT’s polycarbonate baby bottles safe?
As recently as April 2008, the FDA reconfirmed
its long standing view regarding the safety of polycarbonate for food contact, including baby feeding bottles concluding that “…products containing BPA
currently on the market are safe and that exposure levels to BPA from food contact materials, including for infants and children, are below those that may
cause health effects.” This conclusion is consistent with studies conducted by regulatory bodies in Europe and Japan.
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What is your response to Health Canada’s proposed ban?
Health Canada’s assessment is still in draft
form and it has not yet banned products containing BPA, although we recognize it may do so after the 60 day period it set for interested parties to provide
comment expires and regulations are published. Nonetheless, we will carefully review whatever ruling Health Canada makes and we will continue to abide by
the regulations set forth in Canada, as we do in every country where AVENT products are sold.
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What will you do if the ban is enforced?
We will of course adhere to all of the regulations as set
forth by Health Canada. In the meantime, we will continue to provide choice to Canadian parents by supplying our new BPA-free baby bottle, VIA system, Tempo
system and Magic range.
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What temperature is safe to heat the bottles?
Some studies have concluded that the degree to which
Bisphenol A migrates from polycarbonate containers into liquid appears to depend more on the temperature of the liquid, i.e., more migration with higher
temperatures. However, regulatory bodies, including the FDA have reviewed these studies and continue to indicate that bottles with BPA may be used to contain
foods and liquids.
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.
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What number are Philips AVENT bottles? I’ve heard that #7 are should be avoided.
The number 7 that
many people have referred to and often appears as follows:
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does NOT indicate whether an item contains BPA. It is a globally used labeling scheme that tells people the type of plastic and how / if it can be recycled. The number 7 is used for all polycarbonates including those that contain BPA as well as those that DO NOT CONTAIN BPA. It also covers a number of other plastics that are not polycarbonate. So, simply looking for recycling code 7 will not determine whether it contains BPA. To help parents, Philips AVENT will be introducing clearer labeling on its baby feeding bottles.
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Why does no number appear on the Philips AVENT bottle?
These symbols were created to identify
plastics for recycling purposes. Given the amount of confusion in the market place, though, Philips AVENT is reviewing its policy alongside creating clearer
labeling both on its bottles and on packaging.
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Does Philips AVENT agree with the advice not to put boiling water in the bottles?
As far as BPA
leaching is concerned, while there is some evidence of elevated leaching at high temperatures, any leaching is far below the limits set by EFSA and the FDA.
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 sterilized bottle.
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Does Philips AVENT agree with the advice not to use scratched or damaged bottles?
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.
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Are microwave sterilizers safe to use?
We can speak only for the Philips AVENT microwave
sterilizer. Microwave sterilizers have been used for a number of years and provide a fast, efficient and effective method of sterilizing for busy parents.
The Philips AVENT microwave steriliser passes all relevant safety standards. It also does not contain BPA as it is made from Polypropylene.
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Are steam sterilizers safe to use?
Again, we can only speak for our steam sterilizer which passes
all relevant global safety standards for electrical products. It also does not contain BPA as it is made from Polypropylene.
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Links to more information on BPA
