
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Bisphenol A is a toxin found in cans, sports bottles, food-storage containers and baby bottles. Hundreds of studies have linked BPA to health problems including breast and prostate cancer, early puberty, and developmental issues in fetuses and babies.
Consumers Union Documents
- State laws on BPA
Tens of thousands of you joined our national campaign to get the harmful chemical bisphenol A out of children’s products-and your work is having a huge impact! Eleven states have now passed bans on BPA in certain children’s food and drink containers, and bills have been introduced in Congress to do the same nationally. Some Continue Reading
- BPA Factsheet
What is BPA? BPA is short for bisphenol A, a chemical found in the linings of cans and in many plastic products, including sports bottles, food-storage containers and baby bottles. BPA helps make plastics strong while staying lightweight, and is also used as a coating inside metal food cans. Why the concern? Unlike other chemicals, Continue Reading
- Getting BPA out of our food and drink products
What is BPA? BPA is short for bisphenol A, a chemical found in the linings of cans and in many plastic products, including sports bottles, food-storage containers and baby bottles. BPA helps make plastics strong while staying lightweight, and is also used as a coating inside metal food cans. Why the concern? Unlike other chemicals, Continue Reading
Press Releases
- CU Praises FDA Action to Ban BPA in Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups
Consumers Union has long advocated for a ban on BPA in baby bottles and kids’ spill-proof cups
- FDA rejects BPA petition
CU: There is ample scientific evidence about the health risks of BPA
- CU letter to Representative Ed Markey in support of petitions to ban BPA
Congressman has filed three petitions to the FDA proposing a ban on BPA in baby food packaging, canned food, and reusable food containers.
- CU heralds historic passage of BPA ban in California
The historic passage protects children from baby bottles and sippy cups containing BPA
- Consumers Union Commends CA State Assembly for Passing BPA Ban; Urges Governor Brown to Sign Into Law
Five year effort finally results in BPA ban bill being sent to California governor
- CU Commends CA Senate for Passing BPA Ban; Urges Swift Final Vote in Assembly
California one step closer to a law banning the chemical in baby bottles and sippy cups.
- FDA findings on BPA heighten concerns about safety
CU urges FDA to remove BPA from food & beverage containers
- CU commends CA Assembly for passing BPA ban
Urges swift passage by Senate
- CU letter rebuts groups opposed to California bill banning toxics in childrens products
CU supports banning BPA from baby bottles, sippy cups, reusable food and drink containers
- CU testimony supporting Maine bill against BPA
CU supports LD 412 phasing out BPA from baby bottles, sippy cups, reusable food and drink containers
Blog Posts
- Double win for kids’ safety in new BPA & arsenic rules
It doesn’t take a parent to know that exposing children to toxins in their juice or infant formula is a bad idea. But a lot of us here at Consumers Union wear the badges of concerned parents (and grandparents) alongside our consumer advocate titles – and that’s why we’re doubly glad at two recent Continue Reading
- FDA says no more BPA in baby bottles
New parents have one less thing to worry about after the FDA’s announcement today that baby bottles and kids’ sippy cups can no longer contain bisphenol A, or BPA, a common chemical in plastic products. Consumers Union has long advocated for banning BPA from baby bottles (and other products such as infant formula containers and Continue Reading
- FDA rejects ban on BPA
The FDA last week rejected a petition to ban the chemical BPA from food and beverage containers, citing insufficient evidence of its health effects. Consumers Union expressed disappointment at the announcement, noting in a press release that there’s “ample scientific evidence about the health risks of BPA for the agency to take action now and Continue Reading
- Congressman, food industry not waiting for FDA decision on BPA
Although the FDA is poised to make an announcement by the end of March concerning the use of the chemical BPA in food packaging, Representative Ed Markey (D-MA) took preemptive action yesterday asking the agency to permanently ban BPA from infant formula and baby food packaging, reusable food storage containers and canned goods. “Industry practice, Continue Reading
- FDA: expect decision on BPA by the end of March
In response to a lawsuit by the National Resources Defense Council, the FDA has now stated that the agency will make a decision on the safety of bisphenol A in food packaging by March 31, 2020. The NRDC filed a petition with the FDA in 2008 requesting a ban on BPA in any packaging or Continue Reading
- US considers BPA ban for some products; France says no more BPA, period
The wheels are in motion at the FDA to begin review of last week’s unexpected request from the American Chemistry Council, the industry group which represents the manufacturers of the known endocrine disruptor BPA. Their petition urges the agency to change regulations and no longer allow BPA in the manufacture of baby bottles and sippy Continue Reading
- Chemical companies tell the FDA: “No more BPA in baby bottles”
In an unexpected move today, chemical companies filed a request asking the FDA to change regulations that currently allow BPA to be used in the manufacture of baby bottles and sippy cups for young children. The industry says BPA hasn’t been used in the manufacture of these products in several years, and that their request Continue Reading
- A host of victories for California consumers
Consumers Union applauds California lawmakers and the Governor for passing into law several bills that will help protect consumers from dangerous and deceptive products, and improve ways to access affordable, quality health care in the state. As important, we applaud you for helping us get them passed! • Protecting kids from BPA: California is now Continue Reading
- CA moves towards BPA ban as more damning evidence released of health effects
California took one step closer yesterday towards a ban on BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups for children as the State Senate voted 21-19 in support of the Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act. The legislation passed the Assembly earlier this year, but as amendments were made to the bill’s language in the Senate, it Continue Reading
- Avoiding BPA: how one family lives can-free(ish)
The following is a guest blog by Amanda Buchanan, a consumer activist from Idaho, submitted to Consumers Union in support of our recent Kick the Can action to get BPA out of canned goods. Going can-free was learning process for Amanda and her family that evolved over several years (and still continues to evolve!). We Continue Reading
News Articles
- Researchers raise concerns about BPA and breast cancer Source: USA Today (Thursday October 10, 2020)
- More Health Harms for Children Exposed to BPA Source: Time (Wednesday January 9, 2020)
- BPA: Big chem, big harm? Source: New York Times (Saturday August 25, 2020)
- FDA: BPA No Longer Allowed In Baby Bottles Source: NPR (Tuesday July 17, 2020)
- Sweden to outlaw bisphenol A in kids packaging but rejects full ban Source: Food Production Daily.com (Wednesday April 18, 2020)
- FDA rejects ban on BPA Source: notinmyfood.org (Monday April 2, 2020)
- IBOPE Zogby Survey: US Adults Split on Genetically Modified Food Safety, Two Thirds Less Likely to Buy Source: PRWeb (Thursday March 29, 2020)
- FDA Must Decide This Week on BPA Ban Source: OnEarth (Monday March 26, 2020)
- Congressman moves to ban BPA from food packaging Source: The Washington Post (Friday March 16, 2020)
- BPA In Food Packaging: FDA To Decide By March 31 Source: Forbes (Monday March 5, 2020)