All stocks of baby bottles containing the substance Bisphenol A have to be removed from the shelves and must no longer be imported under an EU-wide ban that comes into force today.

Bottles containing this chemical are considered a health risk and the industry has been voluntarily withdrawing them from the market since March.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic molecule used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics, which in turn are used to manufacture plastic materials.

According to the Commission, traces of BPA can be released from plastic containers into food if these containers are heated at high temperatures.

During the first six months of the infants’ lives, exposure to the substance is the highest, especially if infant formula is the only source of nutrition. Also, during this period the infants’ system still does not have the capacity to eliminate BPA.

Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli said in a statement yesterday that the new ban was a milestone in the EU’s efforts to better protect the health of its citizens, particularly children.

“Due to the fact that there are uncertainties concerning the effect of the exposure of infants to Bisphenol A, the Commission deemed it both necessary and appropriate to take action. The aim is to further reduce the exposure of the most vulnerable part of our population,” he said.