News
We will update this page with our media releases as well as articles that relate to our campaign.
French Food Safety Agency Highlights ‘Warning Signals’ on Low Dose BPA Exposure
News from Breast Cancer UK
French Food Safety Agency Highlights ‘Warning Signals’ on Low Dose BPA Exposure
16/02/10
Breast Cancer UK has welcomed the French Food Safety Agency’s Opinion on its internal review on low dose effects of Bisphenol-A (BPA) that has highlighted a number of ‘warning signals’. It has also outlined the action that it is taking in response to its review, including; Working with other international health agencies to propose and develop new methodologies for assessing the risks related to very low levels of bisphenol A and, more generally, of endocrine disruptors; Collecting data in France on the presence of bisphenol A in breast milk, in infants and in infant formula, and; Investigating sources of exposure to bisphenol A other than food contact materials. Read here
US Acts on BPA and Baby Bottles while UK Food Standards Agency dismisses concerns
18/01/10
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Department for Health and Human Services (HHS) in coordinated announcements have judged that 'newer studies have led federal health officials to express some concern about the safety of BPA'. The HHS has also stated that 'Concern over potential harm from BPA is highest for young children, because their bodies are early in development and have immature systems for detoxifying chemicals', while the FDA is acting on these concerns by “supporting the industry’s actions to stop producing BPA-containing baby bottles and infant feeding cups for the U.S. market'. Read here
UN Highlights Uncertainties On Baby Bottle Chemical
09/12/09
Breast Cancer today strongly welcomed the announcement from the UN World Health Organisation that it is to host a meeting to review the science BPA and exposure through food contact products. Acting in conjunction with the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation the WHO have stated it is taking action in light of 'uncertainties [in the scientific community] about the possibility of adverse human health effects at low doses of BPA, especially on reproduction, the nervous system and on behavioural development, and considering the relatively higher exposure of very young children compared with adults.' Read here
Breast Cancer UK - Government told to 'Ban the Bottle'
01/12/09
Breast Cancer UK today launches a campaign calling on the Government to take action to end the use of controversial chemical, Bisphenol-A (commonly abbreviated to BPA), in baby bottles. This call is backed by NCT (formerly National Childbirth Trust), UNISON, The Women’s Environmental Network, the Cancer Prevention and Education Society and CHEM Trust. Read here
News from the UK Media
Reuters - Scientists link plastics chemical to health risks
13/01/10
Exposure to a chemical found in plastic containers is linked to heart disease, scientists said on Wednesday, confirming earlier findings and adding to pressure to ban its use in bottles and food packaging. British and U.S. researchers studied the effects of the chemical bisphenol A using data from a U.S. government national nutrition survey in 2006 and found that high levels of it in urine samples were associated with heart disease. Read the article here.
ITN News - Call for ban on baby bottle chemical
01/12/09
Telegraph - Ban chemical linked to cancer in baby bottles: campaigners
01/12/09
A chemical linked to cancer should be banned from baby's bottles to protect children's health, leading doctors have said. In a letter to Andy Burnham, Health Secretary, leading scientists said the use of the chemical Bisphenol-A, in baby's bottles and other products used to feed small children, should be banned. It comes as Breast Cancer UK launched a campaign, No More BPA, to end its use in products for babies. Read the article here.
Sky News Online - Chemical Controversy: Baby Bottle Ban Call
01/12/09
Campaigners are calling for baby bottles containing a controversial chemical to be banned. The National Childbirth Trust says there is "compelling" evidence linking Bisphenol A (often abbreviated to BPA) to breast cancer and other conditions. The chemical is widely used in plastics and is commonly found in food and drink containers. Some experts believe young children may be particularly vulnerable. Read the article here.
Daily Express - Baby bottles containing hormone chemical should be removed from shops
01/12/09
BABY bottles made from plastics containing a gender-bending chemical should be removed from shelves of British stores, campaigners urged yesterday. Potentially dangerous amounts of hormone-disrupting Bisphenol A can leach from the bottles into milk, experts warned. Scientists and cancer and childbirth charities said there was “compelling” evidence BPA is linked to breast cancer and other conditions. Read the article here.
The Scotsman - Calls for ban on sale of baby bottles linked to fears over breast cancer
01/12/09
BABY bottles containing a controversial chemical should be removed from sale in the UK, campaigners warned today. Scientists, charities and childcare experts are calling on the Scottish Government to take action over Bisphenol-A (BPA). They believe there is "compelling" scientific evidence the chemical could be linked to breast cancer and other conditions. Countries including Canada and the United States are already taking action to remove baby bottles containing BPA. Read the article here.
Belfast Telegraph - Toxic fears for baby bottles
01/12/09
Baby bottles containing the Bisphenol A chemical should be removed from UK shelves, campaigners said yesterday. Scientists, charities and representatives from the National Childbirth Trust said there was “compelling” scientific evidence that the chemical is linked to breast cancer and other conditions. Scientists have long been divided on whether Bisphenol A (often abbreviated to BPA) causes health problems in people after several lab studies showed problems in mice, including changes to the reproductive system. Read the article here.