BPA-free bottles: what that means and why choose one

Are you using a safe bottle for your baby? A bottle without bisphenol A (BPA) is the recommended choice, and a safer one for your baby. We are going to give you the answers in this post that our midwives have prepared especially for you. Because you always want to offer your baby the very best, and when we talk about a bottle, the first thing that comes to mind is bisphenol A or BPA. And to answer all your doubts, we have prepared the following post for you.

What is bisphenol?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical substance used to manufacture plastics and resins. Specifically polycarbonates, which are plastics used to make food containers, such as bottles, plates and cups.

This polycarbonate can also be found in epoxy resins, which are used to make the protective coating on food and drink containers, as well as in thermal printing inks (shop receipts).

Why is bisphenol (BPA) dangerous?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is dangerous because when a container made from this material, polycarbonates and/or epoxy resins, is used, it can migrate in small quantities into the food and/or drinks it stores.

For this reason, although its use in plastic materials intended to come into contact with food is currently authorised, there is a specific migration limit of 0.05 mg per kg of food. In addition, its use in the manufacture of plastic bottles for infants has been banned since 2011, and since 2020 its use for thermal paper has also been banned.

The best bottle free from bisphenol A (BPA)

At Happymami, we know this legislation well, and while developing our Happymami bottles, we decided to go beyond merely complying with food safety regulations. That is why our teats, like the body of our Happymami bottles, are made from the highest-quality food-grade silicone.

That way, you get the safest bottle for your baby, as it is free from bisphenol (BPA), which plastic bottles can contain. And if it falls, it does not break as could happen with glass bottles. We want to offer you the very best! That is why we look for the best material for our bottles.

What does bisphenol A (BPA) cause to health?

The effects that bisphenol A (BPA) produces on human health, according to the studies carried out on laboratory animals. It is likely that at high doses of bisphenol A (BPA) the kidneys and the liver are affected, its main adverse effect being the ability to influence the human hormonal system in the category of endocrine disruptor. These endocrine disruptors interfere with the working of the hormonal system by replacing natural hormones, blocking their action and increasing or decreasing their levels.

So what would happen is an eventual effect on the reproductive, nervous, immune, metabolic and cardiovascular systems. As well as an increased chance of developing cancer.

Why is bisphenol A (BPA) still used if it is harmful?

This question is difficult to answer, but ultimately, according to the EFSA, a combined exposure to bisphenol A, both dietary and non-dietary (dust, cosmetics and thermal paper), is considerably below the tolerable daily intake. This is set at 4 µg/kg body weight/day, a dose that does not represent a risk to the health of a consumer of any age group (including newborns, babies and adolescents)

This maximum daily intake is taken from a study carried out by the EFSA on the probable adverse effects of bisphenol A on the kidneys and mammary glands of mice. Using a BMDL10 of 8,960 µg/kg body weight/day, for changes in the average relative kidney weight, although the BMDL10 for the effects on the mammary gland could not be calculated. On the basis of this BMDL10, the temporary tolerable daily intake was established.

How can you tell if a product contains bisphenol A (BPA)?

Although, as we have seen, since 2011, under the 2011 European Union Regulation, bottles made with these plastics based on bisphenol A (BPA) can no longer be produced. And as well as having given you the best solution with our Happymami bottles, if they fall they do not break as can happen with glass bottles.

To help you, here are some recommendations that the Spanish Association of Paediatrics gives us, a series of useful tips to make sure we are buying the best for the baby.

1. Look at the label

It sounds silly, but it is essential to make sure you read the labels in order to use bottles that do not contain BPA, and if it has no mention at all that makes you doubt.

1. Know the types of products

It may seem difficult, but on plastic packaging there must be a number indicating the type used in the product. For polycarbonate it is 7, although there are polycarbonates with or without BPA.

1. The translucency of the bottle

Opaque plastic bottles do not usually use materials containing BPA.

1. The material

You may have thought of using glass instead, but be careful. They could break when handled. That is why our recommendation is to use silicone.

Conclusion: bottle without bisphenol A (BPA), the recommended choice

In short, the most suitable thing is to look for a bottle without bisphenol A (BPA), which does not contain chemicals that are a risk for your baby. It has been shown that BPA particularly affects a developing organism such as that of our little ones, affecting the endocrine system, their defences and the appearance of tumours.

With all these tips you should already be able to identify these plastics in your baby's bottle, although you will always have other alternatives. It provides a feeling of naturalness and warmth so that you do not have to worry about anything.