Regulators ban BPA in baby bottles

Federal health regulators have officially banned bisphenol-A, or BPA, from baby bottles and "sippy" cups.

The plastic-hardening chemical is present in a wide variety of household items and has been the subject of a long controversy, as some research suggests that it can harm the reproductive and nervous systems of certain animals. Makers of BPA argue that it is safe.

Tuesday's move by the Food and Drug Administration comes after many baby-product manufacturers abandoned the chemical. The American Chemistry Council, a major trade group, also reportedly asked for the rule change. 

BPA remains in most adult food packaging and is present in the urine of about 90 percent of Americans, according to reports.

Of baby bottles, an FDA spokesman said: "Consumers can be confident that these products do not contain BPA. The agency continues to support the safety of BPA for use in products that hold food.”

On Tuesday, the FDA also opened a petition on BPA from Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) to public comment. Markey's petition would ban the chemical from infant-formula packaging.

"With FDA finally taking steps to remove BPA from infant formula, feeding time for parent and babies just got much safer," Markey said of his petition in a statement.

The Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports, urged the FDA to act on Markey's suggestion.

"Scientific studies show there are serious health risks associated with BPA," said Jean Halloran, the group's Director of Food Policy Initiatives. "Babies’ exposure to BPA should be minimized in every way possible." 

—This post was updated at 4:50 p.m.