Toys 'R' Us reacts to BPA concerns
By Staff -- Playthings, 4/21/2008 3:45:00 PM
WAYNE, N.J.—In the wake of a report citing “some concern” about the health effects of bisphenol A (BPA), Toys “R” Us is now among the major infant product retailers moving away from stocking baby bottles that contain the chemical.
In a statement issued earlier this week, Toys “R” Us said: “While the FDA has not changed its position on the safety of products made with Bisphenol-A, in light of growing consumer concerns on this topic, the company has been working with manufacturers to phase out all baby bottles and other baby feeding products containing BPA in its Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us stores nationwide. This process is ongoing and is expected to be completed before the end of 2008.”
The retailer also noted that it has for the past year provided its customers in North America with "a broad selection of BPA-free baby bottles and other baby feeding products in its stores."
Last week, the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Toxicology Program issued a draft report that said there was some cause for concern that BPA could cause behavioral changes in infants and children and early onset of puberty in females. The chemical industry and manufacturing groups, however, continue to point out that studies have only shown such effects on rats, not humans.
In response to the report, Wal-Mart said on April 17 it would stop selling baby bottles containing BPA by early 2009. On April 18, Canadian authorities announced they would ban the chemical baby bottles in their country, the first such country to do so.
Conversely, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, which represents the leading manufacturers of baby bottles in the United States, said on April 17 that it “stands by the scientific research indicating that plastic baby bottles are safe.”
It went on to say:
"JPMA supports the rigorous scientific evaluation process of the National Toxicology Program’s (NTP) Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction. Following an expert panel review last year, this week’s release of the draft NTP Brief on bisphenol A affirms that there are no serious or high level concerns for adverse effects of BPA on human reproduction and development.
“Found in a wide variety of products, lightweight and shatter-resistant polycarbonate plastic has been the material of choice in baby bottles for 25 years. The potential for exposure to bisphenol A from bottles has been extensively examined and the results reviewed by government bodies worldwide that have responsibility for assessing the safety of consumer products.”
“The findings in NTP’s draft report provide reassurance that consumers can continue to use products made from BPA,” said Robert Waller Jr., president of JPMA. “Sound and respected scientific research has consistently shown there is no danger to consumers when products are used as intended.”
