In recent months, the discovery of harmful toxins in children’s products has prompted many parents to take a closer look at what they purchase for their little ones. The latest to be hit with controversy are polycarbonate baby bottles containing potentially harmful bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical linked to endocrine disruption (it mimics estrogen in the body), cancer and neurological and behavioural damage in fetuses and children. Look for glass bottles or a BPA-free label.
Do you know the difference between a 1 and a 7 when it comes to plastics? Most plastic containers are imprinted with a code (check the bottom, and look for a number inside a recycling symbol) that indicates the type of plastic used, which could determine what you buy. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer, and never heat plastic in the microwave.Safe bets
2 HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE) Primarily used for cereal box liners, bleach and detergent containers, garbage bags and margarine containers.
4 LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LDPE) Found in most plastic bags, plastic wraps and squeezable containers.
5 POLYPROPYLENE (PP) Items such as straws, yogurt and ketchup containers, some baby bottles and food storage containers are often made of it.
Controversial plastics
1 POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET, PETE) Used for a variety of containers, from water bottles to peanut butter jars, this plastic has been reported to leach trace amounts of a chemical called antimony trioxide. Animal tests have shown that this substance may be toxic to human reproduction or development.
3 POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (V, VINYL, PVC) This plastic is used in toys, plastic food wrapping, cooking oils, shower curtains and various construction materials. PVC can leach di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) or butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), depending on how it is manufactured. Recently, a Private Members Bill was passed in the House of Commons requiring the Ministers of Health and Environment to complete a reassessment of such chemicals, due to allegations that they can cause certain types of cancer and asthma and act as endocrine disruptors.
6 POLYSTYRENE (PS) Primarily used for take-out food containers, plastic cutlery and disposable cups and bowls. Long-term exposure to styrene, a component of polystyrene, has been found to have effects on the central nervous system including headaches, fatigue, weakness and depression.
7 OTHER The code 7 can be attributed to a number of different plastics, namely those that don’t fit into the previous six categories. Category 7 plastics include the latest bio-plastics, which are made of biodegradable resources such as potato starch and sugar cane. However, this category also includes polycarbonate plastics, which contain bisphenol-A (BPA).
This is a list of BPA Free bottles, BPA Free sippy cups and food/milk storage items. If a product you are using is NOT on this list, you should investigate that product and whether or not it contains BPA. Please note: If a product is not on this list it means either it contains BPA or we aren’t aware of it’s BPA status. We are more than happy to add BPA Free products to this list as we find them (or you find them), shoot us an email (admin@fredmoms.com) and we’ll add it in. (This List is From SafeMama)BPA Free Bottle Products
- Adiri Natural Nursers
- Avent “Via” disposable bottles ***see note
- BornFree: All bottles and cups BPA free *see note
- EvenFlo: Glass bottles, Classic Tinted Polypropylene bottles
- Playtex: Original Nurser, Opaque Soft Bottle (discontinued), Playtex Drop in liners
- Gerber: Gerber Clear View, Fashion Tints (”Plastic Pastels”), Gerber GentleFlow
- Medela: All bottles
- Sassy MAM bottles (UltiVent), Baby Food Nurser Kit
- Green to Grow Bottles
- Sassy Baby Food Nurser Kit
- ThinkBaby Bottles
- Momo Glass Bottles
- Munchkin: Dora the Explorer Classic Bottles
- Nuby: Standard Neck Non-Drip Bottle, Wide-Neck Non-Drip Bottle, Wide-Neck Bottle with Handles and Non-Drip Nipple, Standard Neck Bottle with Handles and Non-Drip Nipple, 3-Stage Wide Neck Easy Grip Feeding System with Non-Drip Nipple.
- Nuture Pure Glass bottles
- Babisil Silbottles
- Weego Glass Bottles
- Siliskin Glass Bottles
- Dr Brown’s: Glass Bottles (all vent system pieces BPA Free), Dr. Browns Polypropylene bottles (due in store’s April 15th)
- Parent’s Choice Bottles (available at Walmart) - box is marked BPA Free
- Avent Magic Cups, Super Sport Cups
- Playtex: Coolster Tumbler, Insulator, Einstein Sip & Discover Training Cup, Sipster, Create My Own, Quick Straw, Insulator Sport, Sip and Discover, First Sipster, Einstein Sip & Discover Insulated Straw Cup
- Gerber: Sip & Smile Spill-proof Cup, Easy Grip Insulated Soft Straw Cup, Insulated Cool Cup, Fun Grips Color Change Spill-proof Cup, Grins & Giggles Spill-proof Cup (source)
- BornFree sippy/drinking cups
- Kleen Kanteen
- Thermos Foogo Sippy Cups, and drinking bottle with straw
- SIGG Toddler Water Bottles
- Kid Basix The Safe Sippy
- Boon Sippy
- GrowPure Multi-Stage Feeder and Sippy Cup
- iPlay Aqua Bottle
- ThinkBaby Training Cup
- Sassy Snack Time Infa-Trainer Cup
- Munchkin: Cupsicle, Cupsicle Straw Cup, Big Kid Sippy Cup, Mighty Grip Flip Straw Cup, Mighty Grip Trainer Cup, licensed character Sports Bottles, Re-usable Straw Cups, Re-usable Spill-proof Cups
- Nuby: No-Spill Sports Sipper, Insulated Soft Silicone Spout Cup, Soft Spout Easy Grip Cup, Gripper Cup with Soft Silicone Spout, 2-Handle Cup, Tinted Mega Sipper, 7oz Tumblers
- The First Years: Take & Toss, Spill-proof Cup, Insulated Cup, Licensed character sippy cups, Insulated Spill-proof Cup, 2 Handled Cups
- Avent Via 8-oz. Nurser Kit
- Avent Snack Cup / Formula Dispenser
- Mother’s Milkmate Storage bottles
- Medela Milk Storage bottles and breastpump accessories
- Playtex One-Step Breast Milk Storage Kit
- Lansinoh® Breastmilk Storage Bags
- Lansinoh® Breastmilk Storage Bottles
- Gerber Breastmilk Storage Bags
- Dr. Brown’s Breastmilk Storage Bags
- The First Years Easy Pour Breastmilk Storage bags
- Bailey Milk Storage Bags (Nurture lll pump tubing BPA Free as well)
- Bailey Storage Bottles (as well as all parts of their “double collection kit”)
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