BAN CHEMICAL IN BABY BOTTLES WHICH POSES HEALTH RISK

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 2nd Apr 2009

A plastic chemical children put in their mouths has been found to leach from the plastic, prompting MEPs to call on the European Parliament to the ban Bisphenol A (BPA) in all baby bottles.

Bisphenol A mimics the effect of the hormone oestrogen in the body and can cause damage to animals and probably humans during critical stages of their development, affecting reproductive, neurological and immune systems.

Although there are plastic bottles on the market that do not contain Bisphenol A, it is one of the most widely used in the world - used in bottles, toys, in the lining of food cans and dental sealants.

Lib Dem Fiona Hall, MEP for the North East, who has signed a written declaration in the European Parliament and who is supporting the ban said:

"Although the level of risk is uncertain, many parents aren't even aware there is a risk and therefore don't know which bottles to avoid. This lack of awareness is frightening.

"Because there is a lack of knowledge about the possible long term health risks associated with BPA, I believe that there is a case for putting Bisphenol A on the EU chemicals law (REACH) list of potentially harmful substances.

"And it is important that if bottles aren't banned, then at the very least they and other items that could end up in a baby's mouth are clearly labeled to spell out any possible dangers to parents."