Gov. Jerry Brown signs ban on chemical BPA in baby bottles

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Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill banning the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, from baby bottles and toddlers’ drinking cups.

The bill, the Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act (AB 1319), had passed the Senate in August.

The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) and Assemblywoman Betsy Butler (D-Marina Del Ray) would ban BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups made or sold after July 1, 2013. It would also require manufacturers to use the least toxic alternative to BPA in those products. Similar efforts have failed in recent years.

Supporters have urged California to follow the lead of other states and nations in restricting BPA, which has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and sexual dysfunction in people and cancer in mice.

Opponents argued that the bill could open companies to lawsuits if the chemical is found in baby products after the ban takes effect.

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-- Geoff Mohan

Bisphenol A is found in many plastic baby bottles and other food containers. Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times