If you’re using plastic bottles to feed your baby, don’t panic.
Officials at the Grey Bruce Health Unit say the recent buzz about Bisphenol A in plastics isn’t as serious as it seems.
Manager of Family Health Carrie Griffith says Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical used to make hard, clear plastic known as polycarbonate.
It can also be found in the protective lining on the inside of metal food and beverage cans.
Canada is proposing a ban on the use of polycarbonate baby bottles to reduce Bisphenol A exposure in infants.
Griffith says the current levels of Bisphenol A are below recommended safety guidelines, and most people, including infants are exposed to such low levels that there’s no health risk.
She says the government is currently taking a closer look at the guidelines.
Griffith says you should not put very hot or boiling water in baby bottles, and that people prepare formula according to package directions.
Clean bottles and “sippy” cups should be allowed to cool after they go through a dishwasher.
Bottles should also not be heated in the microwave.
Griffith says many of the products containing Bisphenol A have the recycling number “7” stamped on the bottom.
