Well, AVENT has finally responded. Not to my personal enquiry below (they must have been up to their necks notes, emails and calls after that class action suit) but a public one.
AVENT’s answers are as clear as glass to these particular questions:
Do ALL Philips AVENT feeding products contain Bisphenol A (BPA)?
No. Our existing range of baby feeding products includes products made from materials other than polycarbonate, hence not containing BPA.
The Philips AVENT VIA Feeding System and Magic range (Cups and Sportster), both of which can be used interchangeably with Philips AVENT nipples, are made from polypropylene or polyethylene – neither of which contains BPA.
*Comment* Their best-selling 5 oz and 9 oz bottles (that come with the AVENT Isis pumps) are made from polycarbonate. The BPA-free products seem to be their disposable milk bottles and sippy cup range.
I tried to click on the “BPA-free PES bottles” but it’s an inactive link! I’m guessing that this is the NEW range launching end 2008.
The Tempo range works using a disposable liner and, while the nurser itself is made from Polycarbonate plastic, the disposable liner is BPA-free which means there is no contact between liquids and plastic containing BPA.
Philips AVENT will also be introducing a new bottle made from BPA-free plastic towards the end of 2008.
Does that mean you’re recalling bottles that contain BPA?
No. We have full confidence in our bottles and we see no reason to withdraw them. This point of view is endorsed by regulators and governments all over the world who have declared that BPA can be used in products that come into contact with food.
How will I know if a product is BPA free?
Going forward we will provide clear information about the materials we use on the packaging of our baby feeding products. Specifically, the packaging will identify whether the bottles are made from polycarbonate, polypropylene or polyethersulfone (PES). We will also label our PES bottle ‘Bisphenol A-free’.
Are you phasing out polycarbonate?
We have been manufacturing baby bottles for nearly 25 years and we completely stand by our products and see no reason to phase out polycarbonate at this stage although we will continue to look at all of the options.
Are Philips AVENT’s polycarbonate baby bottles safe?
As recently as April 2008, the FDA reconfirmed its long standing view regarding the safety of polycarbonate for food contact, including baby feeding bottles concluding that “…products containing BPA currently on the market are safe and that exposure levels to BPA from food contact materials, including for infants and children, are below those that may cause health effects.” This conclusion is consistent with studies conducted by regulatory bodies in Europe and Japan.
What temperature is safe to heat the bottles?
Some studies have concluded that the degree to which Bisphenol A migrates from polycarbonate containers into liquid appears to depend more on the temperature of the liquid, i.e., more migration with higher temperatures. However, regulatory bodies, including the FDA have reviewed these studies and continue to indicate that bottles with BPA may be used to contain foods and liquids.
If you are concerned about what temperature to heat your bottles, Philips AVENT suggests using a bottle warmer that can be programmed to heat liquid according to volume, which will help regulate temperature. We do not recommend microwaving bottles as it can alter the composition of breast milk and formula and may create “hot spots” in the liquid.
*Comment* If I’d continued breastfeeding at work for more than a year, I’d have considered getting a bottle warmer to heat up pumped breast milk. Many Mums found AVENT’s to be rather expensive due to the exchange rate and import taxes. I’d browsed around for a cheaper one but never got the chance to try out any.
Why does no number appear on the Philips AVENT bottle?
These symbols were created to identify plastics for recycling purposes. Given the amount of confusion in the market place, though, Philips AVENT is reviewing its policy alongside creating clearer labeling both on its bottles and on packaging.
Does Philips AVENT agree with the advice not to put boiling water in the bottles?As far as BPA leaching is concerned, while there is some evidence of elevated leaching at high temperatures, any leaching is far below the limits set by EFSA and the FDA. However, if parents are concerned we suggest they boil water in their kettle and allow it to cool in the kettle for a time before pouring it directly into a sterilized bottle.
*Comment* I don’t use a sterilizer and have been using the “boil in hot water for 5 minutes” method recommended by AVENT for its new bottles and nipples. It’d be great if they could respond to this too. I think I will write to them again with this specific query.
Also, I notice that some people make milk by pouring hot water into the bottle first (esp airline staff!). Actually, an alternate way of doing it is to pour cool water first and then top up with hot water.
E.g. The boy’s milk needs 7 oz of water – I pour 5 oz of cool boiled water and top up with 2 oz of hot boiling water. Easier for Mums to handle the bottle too!
Does Philips AVENT agree with the advice not to use scratched or damaged bottles?
Yes. This is already indicated in our directions for use where it states: Excessive concentrations of detergents may eventually cause plastic components to crack. Should this occur, replace immediately. We recommend this course of action not because the bottles contain BPA but because cracked bottles are more challenging to clean and can be dangerous as liquid may leak out from the bottle and result in injury to the infant.
The full list of Q & A is at the AVENT website, which I’m NOT giving a free link here. Good night!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
not good enough if u ask me… i need to alert my friends on this.
Hmmmm… guess that still don’t answer our concerns….
i also only find out that Avent only the Philip brand on their products.
Zewt – Yup, same feelings here…If they haven’t started their baby on AVENT bottles, they can still opt for a BPA-free brand unlike mine who’s been on them since birth!
Angeleyes – I’m still hoping to hear from their corporate comms.
Chinnee – You mean even the name AVENT is no longer there? Wow, that means they are doing a serious rebranding!
Until we know for sure then we should be wary of using Avent bottles that are not BPA free, especially when pouring hot liquids into it. Check the recycling numbers underneath the bottles. Numbers 1,2,4 are fine, 5 is somewhat ok. Do not use bottles with numbers 3,6 and 7.
In the mean time, I will use glass jars or stainless steel bottles to store the water.
Remember, Philip Morris used to claim that smoking does not cause lung cancer.