Lawmakers OK revised ban of BPA in empty baby bottles

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-pobpa2512583024mar25,0,6148755.story
By Reid J. Epstein
11:25 PM EDT, March 24, 2009

Suffolk lawmakers Tuesday passed a bill that amends the ban on BPA in baby bottles passed earlier this month to ensure that it applies to empty bottles only.

Legislators voted unanimously to enact the companion resolution, which came about after packaging industry representatives protested the bill that passed earlier this month. They said the original bill would have affected scores of prepackaged food and drink products, including those used at hospitals.

The bill would make Suffolk the first county in the country to ban the use of bisphenol-A from hard plastic baby bottles and sippy cups used by children under age 3.

Legis. Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills), who sponsored the initial BPA ban bill, said Tuesday's resolution clarifies the intent of the measure.

"The concern has been that this bill could be perceived as going to a wide array of packaging," he said. "That wasn't the intent of the bill, which was to go toward bottles and sippy cups that are used as containers."

County Executive Steve Levy plans to sign both bills, said his spokesman, Dan Aug.

-- REID J. EPSTEIN

Re: Lawmakers OK revised ban of BPA in empty baby bottles

Great, so empty bottles can't contain BPA, but stuff that already has food in it can! How stupid is that??

Re: Lawmakers OK revised ban of BPA in empty baby bottles

Re: Lawmakers OK revised ban of BPA in empty baby bottles

$$$ talks once again....

Re: Lawmakers OK revised ban of BPA in empty baby bottles

My email to Steve Stern:


Dear Mr. Stern,

I was very disheartened to learn that you allowed the bill you introduced - banning the use of BPA in products designed for use by infants and toddlers - to be revised so as to exclude packaging. The leaching of BPA into food and beverages consumed by the children in Suffolk County is a serious health issue. By allowing BPA to continue to be used to package food which will be consumed by those very same children, you have substantially weakened the original measure. Studies have shown that BPA leaches into food while it sits on the grocery store shelf waiting to be purchased. To me that is a huge threat to the health of my child.

It is unfortunate that the money behind big business is allowed to threaten the health of our children this way. I hope the Suffolk County legislature will reconsider this "companion" measure to the original voted on ban, and go all the way toward protecting the children in Suffolk County

Re: Lawmakers OK revised ban of BPA in empty baby bottles

I just wanted to let everyone know that I got an answer from Steve Stern already!

Unfortunately, I'm not thrilled with his response - but I'm happy he answered.