Baby bottles with bisphenol-A

Posted by bbvv (485 days ago)

I have been using Avent for my baby's formula and heard that it contains bisphenol-A. How serious should we take this as if such products are over the dangerous limit, I'm sure it will be taken off the shops. I know many parents using this make as well as other makes that have bisphenol-A Can anyone recommend safe bottles.?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by lasez (485 days ago)

I went to Jusco yesterday and they removed AVENT and DR Brown's polycarbonate bottles from the shelves. You can find BFree and Dr Brown bottles made from polypropylene there (labeled "PES" - opaque color) which are supposed to be safe. And there is also glass bottle from Chu Chu (but my baby does not like the teat).

Bfree site: http://www.babybfree.com/Default.aspx?pid=255

Some articles relating to bisphenol-A.

http://www.babybottle.org/freq_01.html

http://www.plasticsinfo.org/s_plasticsinfo/sec_level3_collapsed.asp?CID=702&DID=2830

http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/27/news/baby_bottles.reut/index.htm?postversion=2007022720

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by bbvv (485 days ago)

I went to Eugene today at Central and they are still selling the Avent bottles. I wonder how many other shops are taking this make off their shelves.

Just looked at the website how much are the Bfree bottles sold in Jusco as I'm going over there on Saturday. Also I assumed they have both the plastic and glass ones.

Also Dr Browns have bisphenol-A too in your above link.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by lasez (485 days ago)

Dr Browns "clear" bottle leaches bisphenol-A. Not the "opaque" ones with a label "PES" on it. I can't find any Bfree glass bottles. The ones I see on the shelves are plastic "opaque" ones, also with a label "PES" - supposed to be safe as it's made from polypropylene plastic.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by bbvv (485 days ago)

Thanks for reply quickly lasez - do you know how much the Bfree plastic bottles cost in Jusco?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by lasez (484 days ago)

bbvv,

Just popped by Jusco to take a look - the bottles are on sale. 80.70 each

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by bbvv (484 days ago)

Thanks, lasez - price is pretty steep for a bottle but if it's safe then an investment.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by lasez (484 days ago)

I bought a Chu Chu glass bottle (with blue cap NOT yellow cap) and it's selling for 58 bucks. I took the last one on the shelf & I'm not too sure if they will replenish the stock. You can check it out.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by esque (481 days ago)

Also you can get medela bottles (no teats tho!) and MAM bottles (coloured plastic) in Mothercare, both BPA-free.

I've heard Pigeon makes a glass bottle too, may be at Eugene.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by HK2 (481 days ago)

hi, bbvv,

where is the Eugene shop in Central?

Also, where did you here about Avent and other bottles not beeing safe? I've missed out on that info. . . .

Thanks.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by bbvv (481 days ago)

Hi HK2, Eugene shop, Queen's Road Central (next to H&M previously the old Lane Crawford)

Heard about Avent bottles and other through this:
http://kcbs.com/pages/268059.php?con...ntentId=350274

http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/27/news...ion=2007022720

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Nula (480 days ago)

I was worried about this as well but after doing a little digging on the internet I found that the scare seems to be sensationalised and is not as dire as it has been made out. Have a look at this website for a more balanced view with up to date testing info.

http://www.bisphenol-a.org/

To be on the safe side buy new bottles and don't boil them with liquid/milk in them as they did when testing for BPA! I am not putting the bottles in the dishwasher and I am sterlising them with milton.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by bbvv (480 days ago)

Hi Nula,

How about milk being kept in the bottle warmer? Mine takes sometimes upto an hour to finish his milk up hence the need to put the milk in a warmer to keep warm otherwise he will not drink it.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Sashimi Girl (63 days ago)

sorry to resurrect an old thread but i just got an email from annerley today about this issue. they made the recommendation to switch to glass or bpa free bottles. has there been any further / more recent findings on this? are people still using advent? they said there there is a shortage of bpa free bottles on the market in HK. my baby is almost 1 and could be weaned from a bottle soon but isn't this bpa in alot of other plastic utensils that we use??

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by smsm (63 days ago)

Sashimi girl, glad that u resurrected this thread..been thinking of the same issue too..mine too is just 1 and is on avent..been wondering which one to switch to...what are other parents doing...which bottles are being widely used...would be very grateful of any inputs reg this..

thanks a lot

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by flowers-daffodil (63 days ago)

my daughter was on avent from birth to 17 months (2 months ago). i had been sterilising her bottles during that period and warming her milk up in the bottles. so with the recent recall of avent bottles and the news in HK, i am quite distressed that i could have done something to harm her health. i try not to think about the past and i have changed bottles. For the last 2 months i've been using a BFree glass bottle and chuchu plastic bottle (I bougth both brands at BeBe Dream). I am not sterilising them now.

But what about the pacifiers and other sippy cups, straws and other baby foodware (e.g plates, bowls) that we wash in warm/hot water? Will there be a problem there too?

I assume pacifiers are either made of silicone or rubber so there's no problem there. But what about the handle which will be sterilised etc?



You can buy BFree glass bottle and the chu

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Germaine WS (63 days ago)

Sorry but may i ask if something happened in recent times in HK that led to " a shortage of BPA free bottles as stated in annerely email? Also is Dr Brown's bottles ok? which are the other BPA free brands?

thanks.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by crj (62 days ago)

This is a great question...

Here are three useful links (1 and 2 thanks to MilkMonsterLaughs). We use Nuby cups with a straw for our 1 year old and 2 year old. I used to get them in HK at Eugene Club. In Beijing I haven't found anything similar, but I saw NUK glass bottles (not sippy cups) at Lufthansa Centre today.

These are in order of reading – it will make most sense to read them 1, 2, then 3…

1. the basics - http://www.enviroblog.org/2008/04/cheatsheet-bisphenol-a-bpa.htm

2. overview of safe and not safe products - http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2008/02/z-report-on-bpa-in-infant-care-products.html

3. specifically on Nuby - http://thesoftlanding.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/which-nuby-bottles-and-sippy-cups-are-really-bpa-free/

Also, IKEA plates, etc.. are all okay (thanks again to MML)

If China is blocking, you might need to access via anonymouse.org

(I am based in Beijing)

Posted by Portia (61 days ago)

Germaine - What happened is that in mid-April, the Canadian Government declared bisphenol A to be a toxic substance. There is now a public consultation in Canada regarding banning baby products with bisphenol A. Here's some more info: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2008/2008_59_e.html . Because of this, many retailers have pulled polycarbonate products from their shelves. Various HK retailers have also pulled the bottles although I understand that they claim that the levels of bisphenol A are within acceptable levels.

As for me, I have changed my LO's bottles already and am in the process of changing his cups although I am having difficulty finding a replacement that he likes.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Germaine WS (61 days ago)

Many thanks, Portia and Crj.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Germaine WS (61 days ago)

One more qn: Would I be right to presume that this issue also apply to the baby pacifiers? If so, which brands of pacificer would be BPA-free?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by crj (61 days ago)

Yes, it absolutely applies to pacifiers - check the link above for the brands you use and safe brands.

Overview of safe and not safe products - http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2008/02/z-report-on-bpa-in-infant-care-products.html

You might need to google for more information if your brand isn't listed.

(I am based in Beijing)

Posted by Germaine WS (60 days ago)

Would appreciate recommendations for BPA-free steriliser?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Sashimi Girl (60 days ago)

mums... just want to let you know that i bought a BFree bottle (from Wing On but also available at B2B) the other day which is great (BPA free) BUT the nipple is very soft and my baby kept collapsing the nipple resulting in milk spilling everywhere! nightmare!!! luckily the advent nipples fit the BFree bottles perfectly and don't collapse, so just use the advent nipple instead. just my two cents!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Germaine WS (60 days ago)

sashimi girl, isn't the brand "AVENT" not BPA-free. so a BPA-free bottle but not BPA-free nipple? just a question, as I am not sure if the nipple also risk containing BPA, just like pacifiers

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Sashimi Girl (60 days ago)

oh? i didn't know BPA was in nipples... i just thought bottles... argghhhh. does anyone know for sure?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Germaine WS (60 days ago)

Sashimi Girl, see below, something i found when I googled for BPA in nipples. Seems like nipples also have some traces of it...

Rubber Nipples

Many bottle nipples are made of rubber, which may contain low levels of contaminants known as nitrosamines. These substances, found also in some foods and in tobacco, cause cancer in lab animals and contribute to tobacco-related cancers in people. Nitrosamines can be ingested through bottle nipples; however it is unknown whether this kind of exposure increases the risk of cancer. Because of cancer concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the amount of nitrosamines allowable in rubber nipples, but low levels are still permissible.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Portia (60 days ago)

Aren't a lot of the nipples made of silicon and therefore BPA free? I thought BPA is found in polycarbonate plastic only.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by smsm (60 days ago)

where do one look to see whether the bottle is bpa free..i mean how do u make out when buying one..i was at eugene club today and they have lots of brands...but couldnt see any numbering on these bottles...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by crj (60 days ago)

The only way to tell, is to research the specific products on the web, and if you can't find the informaiton on somewhere like http://thesoftlanding.wordpress.com/ (or some of the other links in the post above) you can write to the manufacturers.
Good luck.

(I am based in Beijing)

Posted by funbobby (59 days ago)

Manning has Pigeon glass bottles at $27 per

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by the goddess kali (58 days ago)

i though bpa leached out at high temperatures only. so if the milk or formula is at about 40 degrees it should be ok or not?

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by axptguy38 (58 days ago)

"i though bpa leached out at high temperatures only. so if the milk or formula is at about 40 degrees should it not be ok or not?"

That is my impression. Seeing as we have never put a bottle in the microwave...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by minidom (58 days ago)

Generally using plastic always carries some risk so ideally its best to avoid it. Even relatively only tepid or warm liquid can cause leaching.

When we were using bottles we used glass bottles (pigeon brand) from Jusco which I don't think exists here any more but I guess you can get other glass bottles as Funbobby said. They worked fine - the only thing was our baby took longer to hold the bottle herself than her peers cos it was heavier..but she soon caught on. Silicone nipples are safer apparently.

There are different numbers on the various bottles, sippy cups, containers and we always tried to find no. 2 or 4. Avoid 1 and number 7. Avoid anything which has no number at all - its probably cheaper and made in places with less stringent labelling - hence probably (but maybe not) more toxic.

We also avoided PVC in all forms - lining of bibs, toys, bottles etc although for some things you can't avoid it (eg paddling pools!). Avoid cling film on hot foods - use foil instead.

As a minimum wipe or wash everything plastic you buy before giving it to a child (or yourself) - even things like plastic laminated cards or toys - if they smell funny then they are worse is my unscientific rule of thumb. It sounds like a drag but it can be done and you can still get the advantages of using plastic tubs etc.

See here for more information on the grades

http://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/2007/03/29/plastic_water_bottles or http://www.thegreenguide.com/products/Kitchen/Plastic_Containers (guide to numbers)

See here for some useful and doable tips on having a less toxic household...

http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/print.asp?fetch=babycare#wipes

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by funbobby (58 days ago)

ummm...i did say Pigeon bottles...they do exist in Jusco as well as Manning (and who knows where else...)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by minidom (57 days ago)

Sorry I didn't read everything word for word...I missed the fact you said Pigeon....my other point was that I wasnn't sure if Jusco still exists in HK as the big one I know closed down and I haven't seen another branch...either way they are cheap and safe and available as you say

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldsllvn (57 days ago)

sorry, very stupid question - I presume one can use glass bottles in microwave to warm milk up? And sterilise them as well But then as someone said - surely steriliser (mine is avent!!!) leaks as well? Oh, what shock horror... Mine are nearly two, well overdue to get them off the bottle, so that might speed it up!!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldsllvn (57 days ago)

also - does anyone know if Pigeon nipples are safe? they dont seem to be on the safe/un-safe products list?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by funbobby (57 days ago)

bpa is found in polycarbonate (the hard plastic), not latex or silicone, so I'd think nipples are safe (any brand) as portia and sashimi girl noted earlier...it's the teat holder on pacifiers that may contain bpa...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by smsm (53 days ago)

Hi all...so net net is my conclusion correct:

1. Its best to go for glass bottles as compared to even a bisphanol free plastic bottle such as bfree

2. Since the risk is when the bottle is subjected to high temp, if i dont boil or sterilise the regular brand bottles such as avent, the risk is minimised and its ok to continue using that.

thanks

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Sashimi Girl (53 days ago)

well they say that regular wear and tear of the plastic will cause the BPA to leach out - so not just when it is subject to high temperatures. high temps put more stress on the plastic therefore more chance of leakage.
my question now is... what about the kettles we are boiling the water in? eg i have a black braun kettle that is entirely made out of plastic. aren't we just pouring contaminated water into our new BPA free bottles?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by funbobby (52 days ago)

are you sure it doesn't have a stainless steel liner? Many kettles have a stay-cool outer shell of plastic but the water is boiled inside a metal jacket...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldsllvn (52 days ago)

has anyone found any safe pacifiers in HK? I am so tired of printing out lists of safe ones, going around shops and trying to find any? I have managed so far

1) to replace my bottles with Free ones (with Avent nipples - they are silicone hence I understand are ok?)
2) buy a whole bunch of Pirex glass bowls for heating up kids food
but I am failing misserably on pacifier front! One of mine is still on it - and she is nearly 2 so i need the older baby type... Grateful for any tips on what to buy and where!!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by omaharrison (52 days ago)

Don't go over the top with the BPA thing, it's a never ending thing. People strat talking about kettles and stuff. You are going to find yourself asking about BPA in toys, dishes for kids( after you put the hot food that you heated up in the glass bowls) and even the buttons of the clothes. Because all of these things come in contact with heat wether in dishwasher, washing machine and so on.
I am not saying give them anything and not to worry, but don't go too deep into this whole scare.
Every few years they come up with a new discovery of an unhealthy substance in the bottles, teats, the cans of the food or whatever they want to look into.
And about the pacifier, so just wash it clean with no heat, the baby gets only the silicone part in his/her mouth.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldsllvn (52 days ago)

I agree, there is always something, but we all just try to do the best we can in any given point in time.. this is what I am doing at the moment - I just wash her pacifier in warm water, no heat... You just want to give them best start in life really...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by omaharrison (52 days ago)

ldsllvn- you sound just like my wife, LOL
"You just want to give them best start in life really... " these are actually the words she uses as well.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by omaharrison (52 days ago)

These might give you a direction as to which type of pacifiers to look for. Good luck :)

http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2008/02/11/bpa-free-pacifiers-and-teethers/

http://safemama.com/2008/01/04/bpa-free-pacifiers-and-teethers-cheat-sheet/

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Germaine WS (51 days ago)

Can someone please confirm that so long as the pacifier is made of silicone, it is ok ? As Avent pacifier is also made of silicone, not latex. My little prince is fussy about the pacifiers, only AVENT seems to work.

THanks

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldsllvn (51 days ago)

Germaine - they are indeed made of silicone but set in plastic - so I guess as long as you dont sterilize them or wash them in very hot water, they are ok? That's my understanding anyway..

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by neenib (51 days ago)

I have been reading this thread for a while now and I have to say I feel like we are just getting overly paranoid. I used Avent bottles when I stopped breastfeeding my first child and with my second on the way, I also have Avent bottles. After reading this thread i contact Avent directly and they sent their standards report to me. Australia New Zealand Food & Safety Standards are extremely strict and if there was any threat of contamination or toxic leakage, then the product would not be on the shelves. Below i have pasted the press release from Avent (Philips) on the BPA issue. I just worry that people can get mixed messages from different places. If anyone is interested, I also had the official certificate emailed to me to show the testing and authorities results.

Philips AVENT Statement on Bisphenol A (BPA) April 2008

Philips AVENT is aware of media reports focusing on Bisphenol A (BPA) and polycarbonate. We would like to help our customers better understand why Philips AVENT, as well as other companies, use these materials.

Polycarbonates are used in thousands of consumer products such as reusable food containers, lifesaving medical devices and sport safety equipment. Manufacturers of such products, including baby bottles, rely upon polycarbonates because they prevent cracking, shattering and other hazards that can lead to injuries. The key concern for parents is whether leaching from polycarbonate bottles causes harm.

The effects of leached BPA have been studied extensively by regulatory agencies, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Various governing bodies have found as follows:

1. In January 2008, the FDA reconfirmed its long standing view regarding the safety of polycarbonate for food contact, including baby feeding bottles. The FDA has indicated that it actively reviews the safety of BPA and recently completed a review of available data obtained from animal studies, and migration studies. Based on the results of the migration studies conducted by FDA chemists, the FDA determined that the “dietary exposure to BPA is orders of magnitude below the levels known to cause toxic effects in animals.”
2. International regulatory agencies responsible for consumer protection, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the UK Food Standards Agency, the German Federal Institute of Risk Assessment, and the Japanese Ministry of Health have all studied the use of BPA and concluded that it can be used in the manufacture of baby bottles.
3. In April 2008, Food Standards Australia New Zealand issued a new fact sheet on Bisphenol A (BPA) and food packaging. In this fact sheet, FSANZ concluded “Bisphenol A does not cause cancer.” FSANZ also agrees with the risk assessment conducted by the EFSA and “considers the regulatory management of BPA in Australia and New Zealand is sufficient to protect consumer health.
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/newsroom/factsheets/factsheets2008/bisphenolabpaandfood3898.cfm

Philips AVENT is committed to meeting or exceeding the standards set by the FDA and all other acknowledged authorities around the world. All plastics used in Philips AVENT products are FDA-approved and recognized as “safe for food contact application.” Philips AVENT Bottles are also independently tested in accordance with and comply with the latest European Standard for Drinking Equipment for Children-EN14350: 2004 which looks specifically at the acceptable daily intake of BPA for children. By looking to these acknowledged authorities, Philips AVENT will continue to deliver the best products to customers.

We always strive to meet the needs of parents and babies, which is why our current range of infant feeding products includes several interchangeable systems that all use the same nipple. Some of these products, including the Philips AVENT Via Feeding System and Magic range (Cups and Sportster) are made from materials other than polycarbonate, hence BPA-free.

Our bottles have been and will continue to be used by millions of healthy babies in over 70 countries worldwide.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldsllvn (51 days ago)

neenib, maybe so. The article says "acceptable levels of BPA" - why should there be acceptable levels. It is a toxic chemical that we put into our babies from the day they are born? I find in unnecessary. If you can buy toxic free products, wouldnt you rather do that for your child?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by neenib (51 days ago)

I absolutely agree with you ldsllvn, there should be alternatives out there. I just felt that it all seemed to going out of control and sometimes it's good to have some written informatioin from companies. I guess if I hadn't already bought bottles from Avent, then I may have thought about purchasing glass or different kinds.

It certainly goes to show how much has changed since our parent's had children and that parents won't accept what the companies give out. Just like to going to the doctor, our parents and grandparent never would think of questioning a doctor, but we do it and that's our right. I certainly am not in any way trivalising the issue, just trying to provide information that I have received.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by flowers-daffodil (51 days ago)

i have been using avent pacifiers for my 20month daughter and I am still sterilising them - the reason being that water collects inside the silicone part of the pacifier and I feel better if I sterilised it (even if I squeezed out the water). Should I be worried about bacteria build up inside the silicone part of the pacifier? I'm also worried about the BPA in the plastic handle of the pacifier and so should I stop sterilising the pacifier even with the water inside the silicone part?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldsllvn (50 days ago)

I stoped sterilising. The thing is you dont have to sterilise after they are 1 yr old anyway. If you wash them properly, that is enough - remember a little bit of bacteria is good for kids anyway - builds up their immune system

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by funbobby (50 days ago)

kinda makes you wonder (at least the conspiracy theorists among us) how hard (expensive) can it be to produce BPA free bottles. I mean, bottle companies may be secretly wringing their hands with glee at the opportunity to market another line of product with potentially little outlay on their side. Now they can sell glass, poly-carb AND BPA-free poly-carb (at a higher price!) and look like heroes doing it...reminds me of the 'New Coke' roll-out in the late 80's...Coke changes their formula, calls it 'New' Coke and wins some new customers. But the old ones hate the stuff...."No problem," Coke says. "We'll just re-issue the old formula, call it 'Coke Classic', and please everyone." Now they're selling two formulas and looking like really consumer-friendly corporate citizens, laughing all the way to the bank. Not to mention all the other 'niche' Coke flavors they now have...

(I am based in Hong Kong)