Nearly four months after deciding not to listen to science or common sense and ban the use of controversial chemical bisphenol-A (you may call it BPA around your household) in food packaging, the Food and Drug Administration has decided that we should at least keep BPA out of the mouths of babies.

Earlier today, it was announced that baby bottles and sippy cups can no longer contain BPA.

Studies have linked BPA to everything from increased risks of certain cancers to diabetes, reproductive abnormalities, and heart disease.

However, it looks like the FDA is a bit late to the BPA bottle-ban party as most, if not all, the companies that manufacture these products had already stopped using BPA.

Even though the FDA proudly declared that “Consumers can be confident that these products do not contain BPA,” it then adds, “The agency continues to support the safety of BPA for use in products that hold food.”

So the FDA is saying we should feel confident it banned the use of a chemical it doesn’t actually believe is dangerous?

From the AP:

About 90 percent of Americans have traces of BPA in their urine, mainly because the chemical leaches out of food and beverage packaging. The vast majority of canned goods in the U.S. are sealed with resin that contains BPA to prevent contamination and spoiling. Canned food manufacturers have used the chemicals since the 1950s. The practice is approved by the FDA.

If the FDA doesn’t change its mind on BPA, some legislators in D.C. have been pushing for a bill that would ban the use of the chemical in food packaging.

“This is a big day for everyone who has worked so hard to get BPA out of our sippy cups and baby bottles, especially the families who have lobbied the government to do the right thing for our kids,” said Jean Halloran, Director of Food Policy Initiatives for Consumers Union. “Scientific studies show there are serious health risks associated with BPA, and this action by the FDA will help protect millions of the most vulnerable Americans. FDA’s next step should be to ban this chemical in infant formula containers. Babies’ exposure to BPA should be minimized in every way possible.”

FDA says controversial plastic chemical BPA no longer allowed in baby bottles and sippy cups

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.