Canned Formula Possibly Harmful to Infants

Cnn.com is reporting that an environmental group says that the lining in the cans of infant formula contain the potentially harmful chemical bisphenol-A, or BPA. The problem is that the FDA hasn't put out any guidelines regarding the use of BPA in food products or other baby items, like baby bottles, although it admits to reviewing continuing research about the use of these chemicals in children's products.

The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit research organization focused on public health and the environment. It has previously raised alarms about these chemicals in baby bottles and sippy cups for the same reasons. The group says, based on its analysis of existing research on BPA, even a very small amount of the compound may cause a host of problems, from brain and behavioral disorders to cancer, a claim the formula makers and federal regulators adamantly deny.

BPA is a fairly ubiquitous chemical used in polycarbonate plastic products, including baby bottles and metal can coatings. It protects the food inside from the can. It's legal. According to the FDA and the infant formula industry, which adheres to federal packaging guidelines, it is safe.

In the article, formula maker Nestle USA says all U.S. formula companies use cans from suppliers who use bisphenol-A. "The FDA has found these materials to be safe, and to pose no risk whatsoever to consumers. We stand by our products in these type of cans as being safe," the company says.

The National Toxicology Program's Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction convened an expert panel to determine if BPA is a hazard to humans, including more sensitive developing babies. The panel concluded, based on animal studies, that there's "some risk" exposure to BPA causes neural and behavioral effects in children. But there's a clear lack of scientific consensus on the definition of "some risk." Also at issue is the lack of research on humans.

"There's a lot of data out there, a lot of science that is looking at the effect of BPA in animals, but we don't have any data unfortunately in humans, so it makes it a little bit hard to know what's worrisome and what's not, " says Dr. Ari Brown, a member of the Academy of Pediatrics and author of the book "Baby 411."

Some pediatricians are being conservative about products with these chemicals. One pediatrician tells CNN that parents should err on the side of caution, urging them to reduce or eliminate usage of questionable products. Why take a chance when you can easily change to other materials to feed your child. I have recently ditched all plastic sippy cups from our home, as well as the soft vinyl toys that are known to have BPA, as well as potential lead paint. It's too late for my 8 and 5 year old regarding formula, but it's something moms with infants should know about and consider.

There are choices, including powdered formula or liquid formula not packaged in cans, and BPA-free baby bottles. Another BPA-free choice for mothers who can do it is exclusive breastfeeding -- the gold standard of infant nutrition.