NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Dingell, Stupak Praise Nalgene and Wal-Mart Canada for Discontinuing Use of Bisphenol A

Encourage Wal-Mart U.S. to Stop Carrying Bisphenol A Baby Products

Washington, D.C. – Today, leaders of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce praised the decision by Nalgene Outdoor Products to remove the chemical bisphenol a (BPA) from their plastic bottles and replace them with BPA-free alternatives. The congressmen also commended Wal-Mart Canada for immediately ceasing sales of baby products made with BPA in its Canadian stores.

Some scientists have raised concerns that BPA could contribute to diabetes, cancer and obesity. Earlier this week, a Draft Brief prepared by the National Toxicology Program, part of the National Institutes of Health, suggested that the chemical may cause neural and behavioral problems as well as effects in the prostate gland, mammary gland, and an earlier age for puberty in females.

Reps. John D. Dingell (D-MI), the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Bart Stupak (D-MI), the Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, have been investigating the use of BPA in products intended for use by infants and children. Today’s announcement by Nalgene and Wal-Mart Canada drew praise from both leaders, and they called on Wal-Mart U.S. to immediately follow suit.

"Nalgene and Wal-Mart Canada did what was necessary to protect the public’s health,” said Dingell. “It would be wise for Wal-Mart U.S. to follow suit with similar action. American consumers deserve the same protection that Wal-Mart affords their Canadian customers.”

“I commend Nalgene and Wal-Mart Canada for removing bottles made with Bisphenol A from their product lines,” said Stupak. “We will continue to conduct vigorous oversight and will continue to question FDA about its decision finding Bisphenol A is safe in infant and baby products. We also plan to contact manufacturers of liquid infant formula and ask them to remove BPA from their products.”

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