Moms, better watch out for BPA products

Dear Maricel, 

I am a mom of a three-year-old daughter and am 21 weeks pregnant. An aunt warned me not to sterilize bottles using the old way —- I prefer that method instead of steaming. I feel confident that it will kill all the dirt and germs. But my aunt said she saw something on television that mentioned something about sterilizing bottles the old way and that it poses a risk to babies. I researched about it and stumbled upon the news on BPA.  I am so concerned about it because I am currently using Pigeon, a brand that my daughter prefers.  Because of that, I have decided to use the same with my next baby. However, I am quite concerned after hearing about polycarbonate bottles, which pose a risk to babies and kids. Which products in the Philippines are BPA or polycarbonate-free? Some blogs advise mothers to switch to the glass bottle. I don’t think it’s practical. Can you  enlighten me more about BPA? I have searched the Internet and didn’t find much information.

Charlene Lim

I have taken the liberty of forwarding Charlene’s letter to Richwell Trading Corporation, distributor of Pigeon products in the Philippines. Here is their reply.  Hope this helps Charlene and other moms understand more about the safety of their products. 

Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan 

Dear Charlene,

We are very pleased and grateful that you trusted Pigeon baby products for your children. Pigeon understands how you feel about the issue on bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, being an expectant mom. We know that you only want the best for your baby and Pigeon is making sure that we are with moms like you every step of your way. Attached herewith is the letter from Pigeon Japan for you to understand better what really is BPA and how it may or does affect your baby. On a personal note, our difference with the Americans, Canadians, and Europeans with regard to bottlefeeding is Filipino mothers do not microwave or boil baby’s milk in bottles. Our usual preparation is that water is already boiled or distilled even before we mix the milk and water. But, for the purpose of not exposing your child to any BPA, Pigeon also offers glass nursing bottles and PP (polypropylene- or BPA-free) bottles.

Currently, Pigeon has already started distributing wide-neck PP bottles, which are available at all SM Baby and Company stores, Rustan’s, Robinsons, and other baby department stores.

Thank you very much and we hope that this addresses your concern.

Elaine R. Dublin 

Richwell Trading Corporation

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E-mail author at: mommymaricel@gmail.com.