Bisphenol A, a chemical used to to harden plastics, is used in many food containers including some baby bottles and linings of food containers. Studies by British scientists have linked it to heart disease, diabetes and liver enzyme abnormalities.

 

Joshua Sharfstein, FDA Principal Deputy Commisioner said that that the agency was looking at ways to bring Bisphenol A in its ambit, in case scientists do find evidence of harm from it. In this case, the National Institute of Health has also invested $30 million in Bisphenol A research.
 
Bisphenol A is a chemical used to to harden plastics and turns up in many food and beverage containers including some baby bottles and the linings of food containers. Studies by British scientists have linked BPA to heart disease, diabetes and liver-enzyme abnormalities. Canada has in fact, banned use of Bisphenol A in baby bottles.

 
Critics have accused in the agency of giving mixed messages to parents. Sarah Janssen, a scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said, "The FDA should have given parents clear instructions to avoid Bisphenol A in food packaging, even as scientists conduct more research. By expressing concern but not banning the chemical, the FDA is likely to confuse parents about the best way to protect their children."
 
The American Chemistry Council, an industry based group on the other side of the debate, voiced similar concerns. In a statement it said, "Though the announcement confirms (that) exposure to Bisphenol A in food contact products has not been proven harmful to children or adults," It was disappointed that "some of the recommendations are likely to worry consumers and are not well founded."
 
Meanwhile, parents should take steps to limit the consumption of Bisphenol A in the food and drink of young children apart from tossing scratched baby bottles and cups. FDA recommendations on the issue can be taken from the agency's website at www.hhs.gov/safety/bpa/.