Families File Suit Over Baby Bottles

Complaint Says 5 Companies Didn't Warn They Used Bisphenol A, Which Has Been Associated With Health Problems

(AP)  Four Ohio parents have filed a federal lawsuit against makers of baby bottles, claiming the bottles were made from a harmful chemical that sparked congressional hearings and prompted the world's largest retailer to phase out the products.

The complaint filed last week in U.S. District Court alleges the companies knew that a chemical known as bisphenol A was associated with health problems but didn't disclose the risk. It cites scientific studies that conclude BPA, as the chemical is also known, seeps from bottles and sippy-cups into liquid.

Seeking to ease public concerns about any health hazards, a federal health official told a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee last week that the level of BPA exposure a person would receive from a plastic bottle is safe. Many of the studies that have reported higher levels were conducted under unrealistic conditions, said Dr. Norris Alderson, the Food and Drug Administration's associate commissioner for science.

"Although our review is ongoing, there's no reason to recommend consumers stop using products with (bisphenol A)," he said.

The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, names five companies: Vandalia, Ohio-based Evenflo Co., Illinois-based Avent America Inc., Missouri-based Handicraft Co., Connecticut-based Handicraft Co., and Swiss company Gerber Novartis.

The plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount of damages.

Handicraft spokesman Steve Richardson declined comment Wednesday. Playtex spokeswoman Jacqueline Burwitz said the company doesn't comment on pending legal matters. A Gerber spokeswoman referred questions to Switzerland-based Nestle SA, which acquired Gerber Products Co. from Novartis AG last year.

Messages for Nestle, Evenflo and Avent were not immediately returned. Messages also were left for the plaintiffs' attorney.

The U.S. government's National Toxicology Program said in April that there is "some concern" about BPA from experiments on rats that linked the chemical to changes in behavior and the brain, early puberty and possibly precancerous changes in the prostate and breast. While such animal studies only provide "limited evidence" of risk, the draft report said a possible effect on humans "cannot be dismissed."

That finding prompted Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, to pledge BPA-free bottles by early next year. Toys "R" Us also pledged to purge its shelves of BPA-containing bottles by year's end.

Bisphenol A is a ubiquitous chemical in household goods, including eyeglasses, food cans and CDs and DVDs. It also is found in dental sealants. More than 6 million pounds of bisphenol are produced in the U.S. each year by Dow Chemical Co., Bayer AG and other manufacturers.

The American Chemistry Council, a trade group representing chemical makers, says BPA is a well-known chemical and the fretting is unreasonable.

"If you look at the government assessments, they have been strong, uniform and clear, that at the levels to which consumers are exposed, BPA base materials do not pose a risk to consumers," said American Chemistry Council plastics director Stephen Russell.

Russell said he had not seen the lawsuit but noted decades of research indicate that day-to-day exposure is not a reason for concern.

"We are standing behind the assessments of the European Union, the assessment of the Food and Drug Administration and the assessments of the Japanese government that have all confirmed" BPA is safe when used at the current levels, he said.

An Arkansas woman filed a separate lawsuit last month against Playtex, claiming that BPA can be toxic even at low doses and the company has failed to adequately disclose that its products are formulated using the chemical. That lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in New Haven, Conn., also seeks class-action status.

Playtex is part of Energizer Holdings Inc., based in St. Louis.

[bdrlnt4rl]

justfacts2

and you just proved my point........values and health are the las thing society encourages 2 women, do yoy live in a hole?

[bdrlnt4rl]

you goof nut justfacts2,

s e x is shoved down womens faces!!!!!!!

[pollroller1]

"Many of the studies that have reported higher levels were conducted under unrealistic conditions, said Dr. Norris Alderson, the Food and Drug Administration''s associate commissioner for science." Now you see, there is nothing to worry about. One of our government''s own people said so.

[justfacts2]

And something else, bdrint4rl, breastfeeding is shoved down a woman''s throat enough as it is that we don''t need the likes of you adding to the pressure. It is a woman''s choice whether she does or doesn''t and it isn''t any of your business whether she chooses to do so. You have stated your opinion and now I have stated mine.

[justfacts2]

The Arkansas woman is greatly confused. It clearly states on Playtex packaging, at least the nurser system and liners, that the product is BPA free. Maybe since she lives in Arkansas and can''t read she missed this information. And for the record, Evenflo does make BPA free bottles - they are made out of glass.

[payasyougo]

TORT - the other state lottery.

Not to worry. State''s attorneys will step in soon and fine so their coffers can expand as well.

[slim1h2o]

Chemicals, chemicals,,We are such a chemical based country.

Weather it be BPA, or caffeine, or pharmacuticles, alcohol,,whatever, we''ll never get away from it.

So..keep them cards, letters and lawsuits coming folks.

We''ll all get rich one way, or another.

[bdrlnt4rl]

it is too bad that man has made the gifts god gave women, breasts, into something s e x u a l, and now we have formula threats, bottle threats, when nursing is the safest, healthiest and smartest thing a mother can do for a baby, even if it is for a couple of months.