Dear New and Expecting Parents,
For over 20 years, Philips AVENT has helped consumers navigate the exciting months of new parenthood. As parents, we know you want the best for your baby. It’s what inspires innovation in our product development process.
Recent, conflicting reports on the occurrence of Bisphenol-A in baby products may have you wondering which feeding system is best for your baby so we would like to help you better understand the options that are available. Philips AVENT delivers choice in its current range of infant feeding products, some of which are made from BPA-free materials. Like the Magic Cup trainer; it works interchangeably with Philips AVENT teat to deliver the same benefits you’ve come to expect from Philips AVENT.
Feeding your baby means more than just providing nourishment, and selecting the right bottle is an important decision. Millions of babies around the world have benefited from using our clinically proven anti-colic* bottle design. We are applying the same expertise to bring you more infant feeding choices, including a new bottle made from BPA-free materials which will be introduced in 2009.
The comprehensive Q&A below should answer any questions you might have. Philips AVENT is committed to support you in your effort to select the best products for your baby, and we encourage you to explore our entire range of products to find the ones that best fit your needs.
With kind regards,
Dean Osmond
Managing Director, Baden P Morris
Distributor of Philips AVENT in Australia
* A clinical trial demonstrated that at 2 weeks of age, babies fed using the AVENT Bottle, experienced less colic than babies fed using a conventional bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
+ What is Bisphenol A?
+ Do Philips AVENT baby bottles contain Bisphenol A (BPA)?
+ Do all Philips AVENT feeding products contain Bisphenol A (BPA)?
+ Are bottles containing BPA safe and lawful for use?
+ Are you introducing a BPA-free bottle?
+ Are you phasing out polycarbonate?
+ How are you going to provide parents with further information?
+ What else are you doing to help parents?
+ What temperature is safe to heat the bottles?
+ Does Philips AVENT agree with the advice not to put boiling water in the bottles?
+ Are microwave sterilizers safe to use?
+ Are steam sterilizers safe to use?
+ Does Philips AVENT agree with the advice not to use scratched or damaged bottles?
+ What number are Philips AVENT bottles? I’ve heard that #7 are should be avoided.
+ Why does no number appear on the Philips AVENT bottle?
+ If I want to know more about BPA, where can I go?
What is Bisphenol A?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastic is used for baby bottles (as well as water bottles, medical devices, sports equipment etc) because it is less likely to crack or shatter, which can lead to injuries.
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Do Philips AVENT baby bottles contain Bisphenol A (BPA)?
Philips AVENT reusable bottles, such as the Airflex, are made from polycarbonate plastic. Polycarbonate plastic is approved for use and lawful use in every country where Philips AVENT is sold including Australia and New Zealand.
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Do all Philips AVENT feeding products contain Bisphenol A (BPA)?
No. Our Range of baby feeding products includes products made from materials other than polycarbonate, hence not containing BPA. The Philips AVENT VIA Feeding System and Magic Cup range (Cups and Sportser) are made from polyethelene, neither of which contains BPA.
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Are bottles containing BPA safe and lawful for use?
The use of plastic for baby bottles is regulated by authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Food Standards Australia & New Zealand.
The FDA found that BPA may be “safely used as components of articles that contact food” and as recently as April 2008, it reconfirmed its long standing view regarding the safety of polycarbonate for food contact, including its use with baby feeding bottles. In 2007, the European Food Safety Authority actually increased the level of BPA it thinks is safe.
Click here to view Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s view on BPA.
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Are you introducing a BPA-free bottle?
Philips AVENT will introduce new BPA-free bottles in 2009 as an addition to our already diverse range of infant feeding products offering parents a greater choice in product.
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Are you phasing out polycarbonate?
No. We have full confidence in our bottles and we see no reason to withdraw them. We have been manufacturing baby bottles for nearly 25 years and we completely stand by our products and see no reason to phase out polycarbonate.
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How are you going to provide parents with further information?
We wholeheartedly believe that parents should be equipped with as much information as they require, helping them make informed decisions, particularly in an environment where there is a lot of speculation and confusion. For that reason, we will be providing information about the materials we use on the packaging of our baby feeding products via our website and in some cases on the store shelves.
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What else are you doing to help parents?
We have put together this online resource aimed at helping parents better understand the materials used in the manufacture of its products; providing answers to their questions on the use of polycarbonate plastic; and directing them to additional sources of information.
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What temperature is safe to heat the bottles?
Some studies have concluded that the degree to which Bisphenol A migrates from polycarbonate containers into liquid appears to depend more on the temperature of the liquid, i.e., more migration with higher temperatures. However, regulatory bodies, including the FDA have reviewed these studies and continue to indicate that bottles with BPA may be used to contain foods and liquids.
If you are concerned about what temperature to heat your bottles, Philips AVENT suggests using a bottle warmer that can be programmed to heat liquid according to volume, which will help regulate temperature. We do not recommend microwaving bottles as it can alter the composition of breast milk and formula and may create “hot spots” in the liquid.
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Does Philips AVENT agree with the advice not to put boiling water in the bottles?
As far as BPA leaching is concerned, while there is some evidence of elevated leaching at high temperatures, any leaching is far below the limits set by EFSA and the FDA. However, if parents are concerned we suggest they boil water in their kettle and allow it to cool in the kettle for a time before pouring it directly into a sterilized bottle.
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Are microwave sterilizers safe to use?
We can speak only for the Philips AVENT Microwave Sterilizer. Microwave sterilizers have been used for a number of years and provide a fast, efficient and effective method of sterilizing for busy parents. The Philips AVENT Microwave Steriliser passes all relevant safety standards. It also does not contain BPA as it is made from Polypropylene.
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Are steam sterilizers safe to use?
Again, we can only speak for our steam sterilizer which passes all relevant global safety standards for electrical products. It also does not contain BPA as it is made from Polypropylene.
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Does Philips AVENT agree with the advice not to use scratched or damaged bottles?
Yes. This is already indicated in our directions for use where it states: Excessive concentrations of detergents may eventually cause plastic components to crack. Should this occur, replace immediately. We recommend this course of action not because the bottles contain BPA but because cracked bottles are more challenging to clean and can be dangerous as liquid may leak out from the bottle and result in injury to the infant.
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What number are Philips AVENT bottles? I’ve heard that #7 are should be avoided.
The number 7 that many people have referred to and often appears as follows:
It does NOT indicate whether an item contains BPA. It is a globally used labeling scheme that tells people the type of plastic and how / if it can be recycled. The number 7 is used for all polycarbonates including those that contain BPA as well as those that DO NOT CONTAIN BPA. It also covers a number of other plastics that are not polycarbonate. So, simply looking for recycling code 7 will not determine whether it contains BPA.
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Why does no number appear on the Philips AVENT bottle?
These symbols were created to identify plastics for recycling purposes. Given the amount of confusion in the market place, though, Philips AVENT is reviewing its policy alongside creating clearer labeling both on its bottles and on packaging.
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If I want to know more about BPA, where can I go?
www.Bisphenol-a.org
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