Bills would ban BPA in food containers

WASHINGTON, March 13 (UPI) -- U.S. lawmakers Friday introduced legislation to ban the chemical bisphenol A in all food and beverage containers.

The bills were introduced by Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The newspaper said a review of 258 scientific studies of BPA showed that a majority of the studies indicate the chemical is harmful -- causing breast cancer, testicular cancer, diabetes, hyperactivity, obesity, low sperm counts, miscarriage and a host of other reproductive failures in laboratory animals.

The newspaper said the legislation was introduced a day after the gas and chemical company Sunoco sent word to investors it was now refusing to sell bisphenol A to companies for use in food and water containers for children younger than 3.

Last week, six baby bottle manufacturers, including Playtex and Gerber, announced they would stop using BPA to make baby bottles.