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YorkieShadow · 05-02-2008, 05:26 PM

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 prevents cracking and shattering that can lead to injuries.

While polycarbonate plastic is used to make Philips AVENT baby bottles, the Tempo line, which relies upon disposable liners, does not involve contact between any liquid and any plastic containing BPA.

Do Philips AVENT baby bottles contain Bisphenol A (BPA)?
Philips AVENT reusable bottles, such as the AirFlex, are made from polycarbonate plastic. Polycarbonate plastic is approved for use and lawful for sale in every country where Philips AVENT products are sold, including in North America and Europe.

Do ALL Philips AVENT feeding products contain Bisphenol A (BPA)?
No. Our range of baby feeding products also includes products made from materials other than polycarbonate, hence not containing BPA. The Philips AVENT Via Feeding System, Tempo Liners and Magic range (Cups and Sportster) are made from polypropylene or polyethylene, neither of which contains BPA.

Why do some scientists say that these bottles are dangerous?
Some scientists are worried that this chemical substance, Bisphenol A (BPA), can leach at dangerous levels from the plastic and into the liquid held in the baby bottle when bottles are heated to extreme temperatures.

The use of plastic for baby bottles is regulated by authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The US FDA evaluates BPA as a “food additive” and has found that BPA may be “safely used as components of articles that contact food.” As recently as January 2008, the FDA reconfirmed its long standing view regarding the safety of polycarbonate for food contact, including its use with baby feeding bottles. In 2007, the EFSA actually increased the acceptable level of BPA. Further, in February 2008, the FDA wrote to Congress to indicate that, under the “most severe conditions of use,” the “FDA believes that this level of exposure to adults and infants is safe” as defined by the FDA’s regulations, and that there is an appropriate margin of exposure “for the conclusion of reasonable certainty of no harm under the intended conditions of use.”

What is Philips AVENT’s reaction to Health Canada’s finding that there are health concerns relating to the use of polycarbonate plastic?
We note that the Health Canada report is a draft assessment and subject to review and comment by experts in the field. We note that Health Canada’s draft assessment indicated that in their assessment “that Bisphenol-A exposure to newborn and infants is below levels that pose a risk” but have indicated that the gap is not “large enough.” We will of course carefully review whatever ruling Health Canada ultimately makes and endeavor to provide some clarity to the moms and dads who are the ones most effected by this decision.

Does Philips AVENT plan to dispute Health Canada’s assessment?
We note that the Health Canada report is a draft assessment and subject to review and comment by experts in the field. Philips AVENT independently tests its products to ensure they meet the standards set forth by governing bodies around the world, and we will comply with the regulations set forth by such bodies. We note that Health Canada agrees with the other regulatory bodies that BPA exposure for newborns and infants “is below levels that pose a risk”, but is taking a different regulatory approach than the rest of the world. Recently, the US FDA informed Congress of its belief that there was sufficient margin of exposure “for the conclusion of reasonable certainty of no harm under the intended conditions of use.”

Has Health Canada banned the sale of polycarbonate plastic?
No. For more information on Health Canada’s assessment you can visit its website at Welcome to the Health Canada Web site | Bienvenue au site Web de Santé Canada.

Is it true that retailers are asking manufacturers to “voluntarily recall” products made with polycarbonate plastic?
Some Canadian retailers are taking preemptive measures to remove polycarbonate plastic from their shelves; however no recall has been issued.

Are US retailers still selling polycarbonate bottles?
Polycarbonate baby bottles are fully approved by the FDA for sale in the US. A limited number of retailers, including Wal Mart, CVS and Babies R Us have stated that they intend to stop selling polycarbonate products in 2009.

Can I get a refund if I return my AVENT bottles to the store?
We have full confidence in our current bottle, which has been used by millions of healthy babies in over 70 countries worldwide since they were introduced more than 20 years ago.

If, however, you are uncomfortable with your current bottle system, we encourage you to try one of Philips AVENT’s other feeding products, which are made from alternate materials, including the Tempo disposable feeding systems, the Magic Cups, and the Via Feeding System, all of which are interchangeable with Philips AVENT nipples.

So are the bottles safe or not?
Scientists around the world have been studying the effects of Bisphenol A for years and governing bodies, such as the FDA and EFSA have approved the usage of Polycarbonate plastics in consumer goods, specifically with contact with foods in mind.

The scientists who commented on the Health Canada study concluded in their assessment that bisphenol A exposure to newborns and infants is below levels that may pose a risk, however, the gap between exposure and effect is not large enough.

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 than the age of the container, 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 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.

What number are Philips AVENT bottles? I’ve heard that #7 are should be avoided.
The number 7 is often visible on plastic objects which are made from polycarbonate and several other materals. All Philips AVENT baby bottles are made from Polycarbonate, hence they are #7.

Sometimes the symbol appears as follows:

Why does no number appear on the Philips AVENT bottle?
These symbols were created to identify plastics for recycling purposes. The number 7 for example not only represents polycarbonate, but a number of plastics.

Manufacturers are not always legally required to place the symbol on their products. We are reviewing this policy to see how we can best provide consumer with the information they need.

If I want to learn more about BPA, where can I go?
Bisphenol A Information & Resources

Isn’t it just safer to use glass bottles or bottles made from other materials?
Alternate materials are available, including within the Philips AVENT product line, and we respect every mom and dad’s right to choose the baby bottle that works best for their child. For over 20 years, parents have chosen AVENT bottles, with millions of babies benefiting from what many consider to be the best designed, best engineered baby feeding bottle in the world. We constantly strive to reach new levels of design and engineering excellence to meet the evolving needs of parents and babies. Building on its already diverse portfolio of infant feeding products, Philips AVENT will introduce new materials into its infant feeding line this summer.

Why doesn’t Philips AVENT introduce a bottle made from another material?
We have full confidence in our current bottle, which has been used by millions of healthy babies in over 70 countries worldwide. We always strive to reach new levels of design and engineering excellence to meet the evolving needs of parents and babies. Building on its already diverse portfolio of infant feeding products, Philips AVENT will introduce new materials into its infant feeding line this summer.

Will the new infant feeding product be BPA-Free?
The new feeding system will be made from a material which does not contain BPA.

What bottles are safe to use with my breast pump?
The Philips AVENT VIA storage systems allows you to express, store and feed from the same convenient containers, which are made from materials that do not contain BPA.

Who else has tested BPA and approved it for use?

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.”
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.

05-02-2008, 05:26 PM	#1
YorkieShadow BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 9,999	Avent Recall???? 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 prevents cracking and shattering that can lead to injuries. While polycarbonate plastic is used to make Philips AVENT baby bottles, the Tempo line, which relies upon disposable liners, does not involve contact between any liquid and any plastic containing BPA. Do Philips AVENT baby bottles contain Bisphenol A (BPA)? Philips AVENT reusable bottles, such as the AirFlex, are made from polycarbonate plastic. Polycarbonate plastic is approved for use and lawful for sale in every country where Philips AVENT products are sold, including in North America and Europe. Do ALL Philips AVENT feeding products contain Bisphenol A (BPA)? No. Our range of baby feeding products also includes products made from materials other than polycarbonate, hence not containing BPA. The Philips AVENT Via Feeding System, Tempo Liners and Magic range (Cups and Sportster) are made from polypropylene or polyethylene, neither of which contains BPA. Why do some scientists say that these bottles are dangerous? Some scientists are worried that this chemical substance, Bisphenol A (BPA), can leach at dangerous levels from the plastic and into the liquid held in the baby bottle when bottles are heated to extreme temperatures. The use of plastic for baby bottles is regulated by authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The US FDA evaluates BPA as a “food additive” and has found that BPA may be “safely used as components of articles that contact food.” As recently as January 2008, the FDA reconfirmed its long standing view regarding the safety of polycarbonate for food contact, including its use with baby feeding bottles. In 2007, the EFSA actually increased the acceptable level of BPA. Further, in February 2008, the FDA wrote to Congress to indicate that, under the “most severe conditions of use,” the “FDA believes that this level of exposure to adults and infants is safe” as defined by the FDA’s regulations, and that there is an appropriate margin of exposure “for the conclusion of reasonable certainty of no harm under the intended conditions of use.” What is Philips AVENT’s reaction to Health Canada’s finding that there are health concerns relating to the use of polycarbonate plastic? We note that the Health Canada report is a draft assessment and subject to review and comment by experts in the field. We note that Health Canada’s draft assessment indicated that in their assessment “that Bisphenol-A exposure to newborn and infants is below levels that pose a risk” but have indicated that the gap is not “large enough.” We will of course carefully review whatever ruling Health Canada ultimately makes and endeavor to provide some clarity to the moms and dads who are the ones most effected by this decision. Does Philips AVENT plan to dispute Health Canada’s assessment? We note that the Health Canada report is a draft assessment and subject to review and comment by experts in the field. Philips AVENT independently tests its products to ensure they meet the standards set forth by governing bodies around the world, and we will comply with the regulations set forth by such bodies. We note that Health Canada agrees with the other regulatory bodies that BPA exposure for newborns and infants “is below levels that pose a risk”, but is taking a different regulatory approach than the rest of the world. Recently, the US FDA informed Congress of its belief that there was sufficient margin of exposure “for the conclusion of reasonable certainty of no harm under the intended conditions of use.” Has Health Canada banned the sale of polycarbonate plastic? No. For more information on Health Canada’s assessment you can visit its website at Welcome to the Health Canada Web site \| Bienvenue au site Web de Santé Canada. Is it true that retailers are asking manufacturers to “voluntarily recall” products made with polycarbonate plastic? Some Canadian retailers are taking preemptive measures to remove polycarbonate plastic from their shelves; however no recall has been issued. Are US retailers still selling polycarbonate bottles? Polycarbonate baby bottles are fully approved by the FDA for sale in the US. A limited number of retailers, including Wal Mart, CVS and Babies R Us have stated that they intend to stop selling polycarbonate products in 2009. Can I get a refund if I return my AVENT bottles to the store? We have full confidence in our current bottle, which has been used by millions of healthy babies in over 70 countries worldwide since they were introduced more than 20 years ago. If, however, you are uncomfortable with your current bottle system, we encourage you to try one of Philips AVENT’s other feeding products, which are made from alternate materials, including the Tempo disposable feeding systems, the Magic Cups, and the Via Feeding System, all of which are interchangeable with Philips AVENT nipples. So are the bottles safe or not? Scientists around the world have been studying the effects of Bisphenol A for years and governing bodies, such as the FDA and EFSA have approved the usage of Polycarbonate plastics in consumer goods, specifically with contact with foods in mind. The scientists who commented on the Health Canada study concluded in their assessment that bisphenol A exposure to newborns and infants is below levels that may pose a risk, however, the gap between exposure and effect is not large enough. 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 than the age of the container, 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 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. What number are Philips AVENT bottles? I’ve heard that #7 are should be avoided. The number 7 is often visible on plastic objects which are made from polycarbonate and several other materals. All Philips AVENT baby bottles are made from Polycarbonate, hence they are #7. Sometimes the symbol appears as follows: Why does no number appear on the Philips AVENT bottle? These symbols were created to identify plastics for recycling purposes. The number 7 for example not only represents polycarbonate, but a number of plastics. Manufacturers are not always legally required to place the symbol on their products. We are reviewing this policy to see how we can best provide consumer with the information they need. If I want to learn more about BPA, where can I go? Bisphenol A Information & Resources Isn’t it just safer to use glass bottles or bottles made from other materials? Alternate materials are available, including within the Philips AVENT product line, and we respect every mom and dad’s right to choose the baby bottle that works best for their child. For over 20 years, parents have chosen AVENT bottles, with millions of babies benefiting from what many consider to be the best designed, best engineered baby feeding bottle in the world. We constantly strive to reach new levels of design and engineering excellence to meet the evolving needs of parents and babies. Building on its already diverse portfolio of infant feeding products, Philips AVENT will introduce new materials into its infant feeding line this summer. Why doesn’t Philips AVENT introduce a bottle made from another material? We have full confidence in our current bottle, which has been used by millions of healthy babies in over 70 countries worldwide. We always strive to reach new levels of design and engineering excellence to meet the evolving needs of parents and babies. Building on its already diverse portfolio of infant feeding products, Philips AVENT will introduce new materials into its infant feeding line this summer. Will the new infant feeding product be BPA-Free? The new feeding system will be made from a material which does not contain BPA. What bottles are safe to use with my breast pump? The Philips AVENT VIA storage systems allows you to express, store and feed from the same convenient containers, which are made from materials that do not contain BPA. Who else has tested BPA and approved it for use? 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.” 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.