Minnesota bans BPA from bottles

MINNEAPOLIS, May 8 (UPI) -- Minnesota has banned the use of Bisphenol-A in the manufacturing of sippy cups and bottles starting Jan. 1.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the legislation into law Thursday, the Star Tribune of Minnesota reported Friday.

Bisphenol-A is found in many plastics and in canned food coatings. The new law affects food containers intended for use by children under age 3.

Manufacturers of children's products containing BPA may not sell them in the state after Jan.1, 2010. The ban extends to all retailers in the state a year later.

Some health officials say BPA is harmful because it mimics some of the effects of the hormone estrogen. Infants could be particularly vulnerable to the chemical's effects because their bodies are developing and cannot eliminate the chemical as quickly as adults.

Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a controversial finding that BPA is safe. However, the FDA report was widely questioned by scientists and the agency ordered the risk assessment be performed again, the newspaper said.