Health-conscious parents of babies and young children can cross one product off their no-buy list. Baby bottles and sippy cups containing the chemical Bisphenol-A, or BPA, will be off Minnesota store shelves within two years.
A new law, sponsored by Rep. Karen Clark (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Sandy Rummel (DFL-White Bear Lake) and signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty May 7, bans Minnesota manufacturers from selling cups and bottles intended for use by children age 3 or younger that contain BPA after Jan. 1, 2010, and retailers from selling them after Jan. 1, 2011. The law is effective May 8, 2009.
Numerous peer-reviewed research studies have found BPA to be a carcinogen and endocrine disruptor. The chemical is widely used in consumer products such as eyeglasses, sports helmets, electronic toys and lining for beverage or liquid cans.
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