Which Powdered Infant Formula is Free of Bisphenol A (BPA)
We received lots of emails from confused parents wondering about Bisphenol A (BPA) in the packaging of Infant Formula and decided to do a short post about this topic.
We contacted all major US Baby Formula makers to figure out which ones are safe and which aren’t. What we found out is that almost all liquid formula is still packaged in cans lined with Bisphenol A (BPA), a toxic chemical linked to reproductive disorders and neurobehavioral problems in lab animals according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).¹
All manufacturers except Nestlé Good Start Formula, claimed in their emails to us or via press release, that their Powdered Formula containers are Free of BPA. We at Safbaby wonder, if this is the case, why they don’t label their cans with ‘BPA-free’ to assure concerned parents. Although we don’t know for sure their BPA-free claims are a 100% true, it would be wisest to choose Powdered Infant Formula over Liquid Formula.
Earth’s Best®, Similac® and Enfamil® told us in writing that their powdered formula is BPA-free. Nestlé Good Start® however did not respond in writing.
Earth’s Best®
They emailed us following statement:
Earth’s Best sells the following powdered infant formula products in BPA-free canisters:
- Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula with Iron with DHA & ARA
- Earth’s Best Organic Soy Infant Formula with Iron with DHA & ARA
Similac®
Here is their press release from July 9, 2009:
For more than 80 years, Abbott’s Similac brand formulas have been proven to be a safe and effective source of nutrition for millions of healthy babies. In response to mothers seeking BPA free products, Abbott is pleased to share that it has now achieved “BPA free” status in all of its Similac® brand powdered infant formula products. “BPA free” means that no BPA is present at quantifiable levels using the lowest governmental standards of testing for infant formula.
In addition to powdered formulas, most of our liquid ready-to-feed infant and toddler formulas also repeatedly have shown that no BPA is present at detectable levels, making 91 percent of our infant formula product line “BPA free”.
Abbott is leading the industry in its work with government authorities, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada, and our suppliers. Abbott products have been tested for BPA using the most sensitive and conservative tests available, and levels are undetectable for all powdered products and consistently 50 times below international safety standards for other infant nutrition products.
In response to your question on our Enfamil(R) PREMIUM(R) Value Powder Box and our Single-Serve Powder Packets, while I can’t share with you the exact composition of our packaging because we consider that information proprietary, I can tell you that it does not contain BPA.
In fact, as a result of consumer preference, last year Mead Johnson eliminated BPA as a component in its packaging for all powdered formulas, which accounts for the vast majority of our infant formula business.
Mead Johnson is committed to providing all of our products in packaging that does not use BPA as a component. Our internal experts are working with our suppliers to identify alternative materials that provide the same level of product protection, in order to eliminate as quickly as possible the minute presence of BPA in packaging for our liquid formulas. You have our assurance that the benefits and safety data of any new packaging material will be carefully weighed, and that we will continue to ensure the safety and nutritional quality of our products.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, “The most important thing parents can do for their babies is ensure that they receive adequate nutrition. While the best source of nutrition for babies is a mother’s breast milk, infant formula remains the recommended alternative when breast milk is not an option.”
Enfamil®
They emailed us following statement:
In response to your question on our Enfamil® PREMIUM® Value Powder Box and our Single-Serve Powder Packets, while I can’t share with you the exact composition of our packaging because we consider that information proprietary, I can tell you that it does not contain BPA.
In fact, as a result of consumer preference, last year Mead Johnson eliminated BPA as a component in its packaging for all powdered formulas, which accounts for the vast majority of our infant formula business.
Mead Johnson is committed to providing all of our products in packaging that does not use BPA as a component. Our internal experts are working with our suppliers to identify alternative materials that provide the same level of product protection, in order to eliminate as quickly as possible the minute presence of BPA in packaging for our liquid formulas. You have our assurance that the benefits and safety data of any new packaging material will be carefully weighed, and that we will continue to ensure the safety and nutritional quality of our products.
Nestlé Good Start®
No written statement received after several written requests.
Reduce BPA Exposure by choosing powdered infant formula!
Don’t forget to read our post about Fluoride in Infant Formula as well, which is another important concern!
1. http://www.ewg.org/reports/infantformula
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