Don’t panic over baby bottles chemical scare (From Stourbridge News)

Don’t panic over baby bottles chemical scare

11:17am Friday 9th May 2008

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WORCESTERSHIRE's public health chief has told parents not to panic over alleged 'gender-bending' chemicals in baby bottles.

The National Childbirth Trust has called on manufacturers of bottles to put warning labels on baby bottles which contain Bisphenol A.

Research in the US suggests exposure at low levels can cause children fertility problems in later life, breast cancer and early puberty.

Canada is already phasing out bottles made from the chemicals because of health fears and the US chain Wal-Mart is banning them.

According to the National Childbirth Trust, the chemical mimics the effect of the hormone oestrogen in the body, affecting a baby's reproductive, neurological and immune systems.

But Richard Harling, director of public health for Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, said no concerns had been raised by the main health watchdog, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) He said: "If this is going to cause harm it's usually going to require high doses over a long period of time. I would want to send a message to parents not to panic. If there are concerns about the contamination of milk parents should switch to some other source. Breast is best. We would encourage mothers to breast feed, which gets away from all this. It also has a proven positive influence on the baby."

Helen Hunt, aged 36, of Jackdaw Lane, Droitwich, has two children, Oliver, two, and Daisy, aged one, and is actively involved with the NCT.

She said: "I think we need to be made more aware of these things and the manufacturers should make it very clear what goes into their bottles. They have a responsibility."

The NCT is concerned that the chemical leaks from the plastic used to make baby bottles.

Scratched or damaged bottles are more likely to leak.

Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the NCT, said: "Although the level of risk is not certain, parents are largely unaware of this risk and do not know which bottles to avoid.

"This lack of awareness is concerning."

A spokesman for the Chemical Industries Association said the use of Bisphenol A in food and drink products was given the all-clear by the UK and European food standards authorities last year.

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