Infant Formula Can Be a Major Source of BPA: Experts

Bisphenol A (BPA), a common chemical in plastics often added to the material that lines food cans, including infant formula packaging, has been a source of concern because it is a "hormone disrupter" associated with changes in child growth and development. The American Medical Association wants BPA alternatives to be developed for infant-formula containers. Representatives from the infant formula industry, however, have contested that there are decades of safety data for BPA, whereas there may be less known about the packaging material that replaces BPA. Regardless, Dr. Maida Galvez, an associate professor of pediatrics and preventive medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, reports, "In the absence of legislation and mandated labeling, it is hard for consumers to determine which products are actually BPA-free." Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington in Seattle, explains that it is important to take steps to prevent exposure to BPA in all forms. She recommends washing your hands well after handling store receipts because receipts, too, contain high levels of BPA.

HealthDay via Yahoo! News, 7/6/2012