JPMA Supports Safety of Baby Bottles

Polycarbonate Baby Bottles Accepted as Safe for Use Worldwide

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), which represents the leading manufacturers of baby bottles in the United States, stands by the scientific research indicating that plastic baby bottles are safe.

Sound and respected scientific research has consistently shown there is no danger to consumers when products are used as intended. Trace levels of bisphenol A (BPA) from consumer products are well below any level that could cause harm to adults or to our children. Other scientific studies have shown that BPA has NO effect on the reproductive system, NO effect on the developmental system, and NO cancer-causing effects. Recent reports indicating otherwise are both sensational and biased, and they have not received any validation from the scientific community.

Found in a wide variety of products, lightweight and shatter-resistant polycarbonate plastic has been the material of choice in baby bottles for more than 25 years. The potential for exposure to bisphenol A from bottles has been extensively examined and the results have been reviewed worldwide by agencies having responsibility for assessing the safety of consumer products. The scientists who conducted these safety studies on BPA come from across the globe, and include scientists from the U.S. National Academy of Science, the U.S. National Toxicology Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Commission Scientific Committee on Food, the European Food Safety Authority, and the Japanese National Institute of Health Sciences.

The FDA has just announced the formation of an agency-wide task force to review the safety of BPA.  The FDA task force will evaluate the recent risk assessment report by Health Canada as well the recent draft report by the National Toxicology Program. FDA continues to recommend that consumers refrain from discontinuing use of BPA-containing products.

JPMA relies upon the FDA to set standards for the safety of food storage materials including the safety and suitability of polycarbonate for baby bottles as temporary storage for liquid nourishment. As long as scientifically valid health and risk assessments demonstrate the safe use of such products, consumers should continue to have a choice to use them.

JPMA members make a wide range of baby bottles with a variety of alternative materials that are also available. Ultimately, consumers have and should continue to have a wide range of choices of products on the marketplace. Please be assured that JPMA members comply with all safety standards in effect and will continue to do so.

There is significant data available on the safety of BPA. From baby bottles and food packaging, to bicycle helmets and eyeglass lenses, as well as incubators and components of many life-saving medical devices, polycarbonate plastic makes everyday lives better and safer.

For more information on BPA in juvenile products, visit:

www.babybottle.org

www.CoalitionForConsumerChoice.org

www.bisphenol-A.org

www.stats.org

www.acsh.org

 

NEWS from CPSC

Serious Head Injuries Prompt Recall of Bumbo Baby Sitter Seats - New Warnings and Instructions to Be Provided To Consumers

Name of Product: Bumbo “Baby Sitter” Seats

Units: About 1 million

Manufacturer: Bumbo International, of South Africa

Hazard: If the seat is placed on a table, countertop, chair, or other elevated surface, young children can arch their backs, flip out of the Bumbo seat, and fall onto the floor, posing a risk of serious head injuries.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC has received 28 reports of young children falling out of the Bumbo Baby Sitter seat, including three skull fractures, which occurred when children fell out of chairs that had been placed on tables.

Description: The bottom of the children’s seat is round and flat with a diameter of about 15 inches. It is constructed of a single piece of molded foam and comes in yellow, blue, purple, pink, aqua, and lime green. The seat has leg holes and seat back that wraps completely around the child. On the front of the seat in raised lettering is the word “Bumbo” with the image of an elephant on top. The bottom of the seat has the following words: “Manufactured by Bumbo South Africa Material: Polyurethane World Patent No. PCT: ZA/1999/00030.” The back of the seat contains the following “WARNING” – “Never use on a raised surface. Never use as a car seat or bath seat. Designed for floor level use only. Never leave your baby unattended as the seat is not designed to be totally restrictive and may not prevent release of your baby in the event of vigorous movement.”

Sold by: Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, USA Babies and various other toy and children’s stores nationwide, and various online sellers, from August 2003 through October 2007 for about $40.

Manufactured in: South Africa

Remedy: Consumers should never use the infant seat on a table, countertop, chair, or other elevated surface. Consumers can contact Bumbo to obtain new warning label stickers and instructions, free of charge. The new warning label will state: “WARNING – Prevent Falls; Never use on any elevated surface.” Consumers should use the Bumbo seat at ground level, but should never leave a child unattended.

Consumer Contact: Contact Bumbo International at (877) 932-8626 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.bumbosafety.com