The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has followed California's lead and banned baby bottles and sippy cups made with the plastics chemical bisphenol-A, BPA, but some environmental and consumer advocates say the action doesn't go far enough.
"The FDA's action, while a positive step, will have little impact on children's health," the Environmental Working Group said in a statement. "A consumer revolt and state-level legislation have already driven BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups."
However, EWG said the epoxy coating that lines infant formula cans and most other aluminum food cans sold in the U.S. does contain BPA and said the  chemical leaches readily into liquids it touches. In 2007, researchers found that four of the world's leading formula makers were using BPA as an ingredient in their formula cans.
"Once again, the FDA has come so late to the party that the public and the marketplace have already left," said Jason Rano, Director of Government Affairs for Environmental Working Group. "If the agency truly wants to prevent people from being exposed to this toxic chemical associated with a variety of serious and chronic conditions it should ban its use in cans of infant formula, food and beverages."
Industry drops objection
After the California statute was passed last October, the chemical industry  dropped its years' long objection to banning BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups and urged FDA to remove it. Public health and environmental groups called the industry's acquiescence a cynical attempt to quell calls for a wholesale ban of the substance from food cans, beverage containers and infant formula.
Earlier this year, Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA)Â petitioned the FDA to remove BPAÂ from packaging for baby food and food and beverage packaging and also reusable food and beverage containers.
"It's our hope the FDA will do exactly what Rep. Markey has asked of the agency on behalf of the American people and ban BPA in infant formula," added Rano. "No chemical with strong ties to cancer, diabetes, obesity and many other health problems should be an ingredient in infant formula containers."
How they voted
Yes
Yes