Playtex to stop using BPA by end of 2008
Toys "R" Us, Wal-Mart planning to phase out products with BPA
-- Kids Today, 4/24/2008 9:45:00 AM
WESTPORT, Conn. – Playtex Infant Care, maker of infant and toddler feeding products, has announced that it will stop using the chemical bisphenol A, also known as BPA, in its line by the end of the year. The manufacturer also plans to give away 1 million samples of it Drop-Ins Original nurser systems, which are BPA free.
Playtex, a division of Energizer Personal Care, said in news release that only a few of its current products are made with BPA – about 80 additional SKUs of feeding and soothing products are produced without the chemical. Some of those BPA-free products include all of its bottle nipples and pacifiers, Drop-Ins liners and Sipster, Insulator, Coolster and Quick Straw cups. A complete list is available at www.playtexbaby.com/bpafree/info.html. Information on the free nurser system is also available via the link.
“We know recent news coverage has created significant confusion about the use of BPA in plastic baby products,” said Gary Cohen, vice president and general manager Playtex. “While U.S. and worldwide regulatory bodies continue to deem the ingredient safe, as a leader in infant care products, we are listening to consumer concerns and we believe the right thing to do is eliminate any confusion or doubt that parents may have. For this reason, we will stop using BPA in our products this year and we are offering consumers a chance to immediately switch to BPA-free infant products.”
The news comes amid announcements from two large retailers that they plan to phase out BPA products from their stores shelves. Toys “R” Us said in a statement that “in light of growing consumer concerns on the topic,” the retailer plans to phase out bottles and other feeding products containing BPA from its Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores by the end of the year. Wal-Mart has announced that it will pull baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, food containers and waters bottles made with BPA from its U.S. stores by early next year.
