Alternatives to BPA

The recent decision of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banning Bisphenol-A (BPA) in baby bottles and sippy cups was welcomed by consumer groups all over the world. As a controversial chemical, BPA is one of the most researched with various organisations conducting studies on its impact, specifically on health. Some studies indicate that the chemical acts as an endocrine disruptor and can interfere with the development of the reproductive and nervous systems in babies and young children.

BPA is an industrial chemical that has been present in many hard plastic bottles and metal-based food and beverage cans since the 1960s. About 3.6 million tonnes of BPA are used by manufacturers annually. It is a key component in the production of polycarbonate plastic products, such as feeding bottles, and epoxy resins, which are used to make protective coatings in metal food containers to ensure food safety.

A series of studies have been conducted that provided reasonable proof on the health impact of BPA that made various government agencies take reasonable steps to minimise human exposure to BPA in the food supply and find alternatives to BPA. Aside from the United States, Canada and the European Union have earlier banned the use of BPA in baby bottles. Additional studies are being conducted that may very well be used as evidence for future actions against BPA in other food products packaging.

BPA-free copolyester
Tritan f rom Eas tman Chemical Company is a new-generation copolyester that provides a balance of properties, including clarity, toughness and heat resistance. Free from BPA, Tritan has been used in a number of baby care products. Baby Brezza introduced its patented One Step Baby Food Maker featuring a bowl made with Tritan copolyester.

The One Step Baby Food Maker provides an easy way to prepare food for infants and toddlers by combining the processes of steaming and blending fruits, vegetables and meats in one bowl. Parents and caretakers can place chopped foods into the bowl and complete the steaming and blending process for homemade food in as few as 15 minutes. The durability and heat resistance of Tritan enables the steaming and blending functions to be combined into one step.

Baby Brezza selected Tritan copolyester for the One Step Baby Food Maker bowl because it provided the high heat resistance required for steaming and the desired durability for blending. In addition, the clarity of Tritan allows parents and caretakers to easily see the consistency of the food being prepared, and because Tritan is dishwasher-durable, cleanup is easy. Independent third-party testing confirms Tritan is BPA-free. In addition, separate studies show Tritan is estrogenic and androgenic activity free.

Another company, Euro-Pro Operating LLC, an innovative leader in the housewares industry, has tapped Tritan copolyester for its Ninja? single-serve blending cups for its balance of properties, including toughness and dishwasher durability. The cups are designed to make smoothies and drinks, chop vegetables, mix salad dressings and make dips. Because the Ninja single-serve blending cups are used often and can regularly be knocked over by active consumers, it was vital for Euro-Pro that Tritan copolyester offer toughness to help the cups withstand multiple drops.

Developing alternatives to BPA is very important, not just for baby care products but also for drinking and food preparation products, food cans and screw-cap coatings. Several manufacturers are now looking at possible alternatives to having products minus the contested BPA content and this can lead to more new and safer materials.