健康英语新闻:EU bans sale of baby bottles containing Bisphenol A

BRUSSELS, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Baby bottles containing the substance Bisphenol A (BPA) would have to be pulled from the shelves across the European Union (EU) starting from Wednesday, in a "milestone" move to better protect the health of EU citizens, an official said Tuesday.

"Due to the fact that there are uncertainties concerning the effect of the exposure of infants to Bisphenol A, the commission deemed it both necessary and appropriate to take action," said John Dalli, EU Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner.

"The aim is to further reduce the exposure of the most vulnerable part of our population, i.e. infants," he said.

The ban, adopted in an EU directive in late January, would prohibit baby bottles containing BPA from placing on the EU market and import into the 27-member EU from June 1.

Previously, the bloc had already banned the manufacture of the controversial baby bottles on March 1, and the industry has been withdrawing such products voluntarily.

BPA is an organic molecule that is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics, which are used to manufacture plastic materials, such as baby bottles.

Traces of BPA can be released from plastic containers into the food they carry if these containers are heated at high temperatures. They may lead to early sexual development of children and could cause cancer, according to health officials.

China would also prohibit the manufacture of feeding bottles containing BPA from June 1, while imports and sales of bottles containing BPA would be banned starting from Sept. 1.