Better late than never…I guess

Just a few months after refusing to ban bisphenol-A (BPA), the FDA is seeing the error of their ways.

They’ve FINALLY decided to nix this creepy chemical in baby bottles and sippy cups.

The problem is, of course, that all this time, the evidence of the harms associated with BPA couldn’t have been more crystal clear.

Heck, Dr. Wright sounding the alarm on BPA in Nutrition and Healing back in July 2006 in a shocking article that’s as relevant today as the day it was written. Current subscribers can read that article in the archives here. (Not a subscriber yet? You can fix that by clicking here.)

The FDA was even sued over their willful ignorance.

So are the folks there at all embarrassed that it took them so darn long to take steps toward eliminating this harmful chemical from our children’s lives?

It certainly wouldn’t appear so. They don’t even seem to mind that their announcement amounts to “too little too late” since the vast majority of the companies that make baby bottles and sippy cups have ALREADY gotten rid of the BPA on their own.

Yes, that’s right, the FDA is effectively banning something that isn’t even being used anymore. Which means they don’t even have to play the heavy with their buddies in the plastics industry.

And if you think I’m being a little rough on the FDA don’t judge me too quickly. The evidence is right there in their own statement, in which they pat themselves on the backs for getting rid of BPA and then go on to say that the agency “continues to support the safety of BPA for use in products that hold food.”

Wait—what? Let me get this straight: We should feel good that they banned something they don’t even think is a danger to our health?

They’re still fine with BPA being used in cans for food packaging. And yes, that would include containers of infant formula. But hey, at least that bottle it’s going into is BPA-free!

This clumsy attempt to have it both ways is just so sad it’s laughable.

Meanwhile the federal government is sinking millions of dollars into their own studies of BPA, rather than taking the mounting evidence at face value. And the FDA’s happy to wait for the results before taking any real action.

Some members of Congress aren’t satisfied with the FDA’s lack of movement on the problem and have introduced legislation aimed at banning BPA in all canned food, water bottles, and food containers.

But until it…or legislation like it…passes the best we can do is give our hard earned bucks to the companies that have already stopped using the chemical in their packaging. It might make shopping a bit more difficult, but it’s not impossible.

Sources:
“FDA Finally Decides That BPA Doesn’t Belong In Baby Bottles,” Consumerist (consumerist.com)

“FDA says controversial plastic chemical BPA no longer allowed in baby bottles and sippy cups,” Washington Post (washingtonpost.com)