Senate Passes BPA Bill

Sacramento, CA– Despite intensive lobbying by the American Chemistry Council, the Senate passed AB 1319, the Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act.

This state bill seeks to ban the toxic chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) from children’s food and beverage containers.

“This has been a real David and Goliath fight,” said Senator Fran Pavely (D-Agoura Hills) who co-authored the bill. “I am so pleased that our most vulnerable citizens, infants and toddlers, will be protected from the harmful effects of BPA.

Critics say BPA is a hormone-disrupting chemical that is used in some baby bottles, sippy cups, infant formula, and baby food containers. It has been linked to early puberty, childhood obesity, breast cancer, and neurological and behavioral changes including autism and hyperactivity. While some manufacturers have already removed this substance from their products, it is still found in many others.

AB 1319 now returns to the Assembly for a final vote before heading to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature.

If the bill is signed into law, California will join Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Wisconsin and Washington state that have enacted bans on BPA in baby bottles and other feeding products for children. BPA has also been banned in Canada and China.

Written by tina.falco@mlode.com