Following several days of suspense, Canada’s health ministry announced on 18 April 2008 that it will propose a ban on import, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles and food containers, should no “compelling information” emerge to indicate that the PC feedstock bisphenol A (BPA) is “significantly less dangerous than currently believed.” – see Plasteurope.com of 18.04.2008.

The national health authority, Health Canada, said the main threat derives from warming or sterilising the baby bottles at high temperatures and migration of the chemical from cans into baby formula. For most people, exposure to the chemical, which is also a feedstock for epoxy resins used as food can liners, is “probably below levels that may pose a risk,” health minister Tony Clement conceded. However, he said the government’s investigation had concluded that early development is sensitive to the effects of BPA, and “we believe it is better to be safe than sorry.” Plans apparently are also afoot to label BPA “toxic” under the Environmental Protection Act.

The Canadian ban would not come before conclusion of a two-year regulatory process that could also lead to less severe restrictions. Along with developing “stringent migration targets,” Clement said the government would work with industry to develop alternative food packaging.

Eastman (Kingsport, Tennessee / USA; www.eastman.com) could profit from PC’s loss. Nalgene (Rochester, New York / USA; www.nalgene-outdoor.com) manufacturer of the colourful water bottles popular with outdoor sports enthusiasts, said it would switch its PC bottles to the US company’s new “Tritan” copolyester, for which output is being expanded up to late 2009 – see Plasteurope.com of 19.03.2008. Nalgene recently launched its ”Everyday” line of sports bottles based on Tritan.