As a mother determined to keep harmful chemicals out of my household, I’m alarmed BPA is in the lining of baby food jars and cans of food marketed to kids. This hormone-disrupting chemical with direct links to cancer is leaching out of can liners and jar lids right into baby food.
The Maine legislature will soon hear LD 902, a bill to ban BPA from baby food sold in Maine. I hope Maine lawmakers will continue the bipartisan effort to pass this important legislation.
Eliminating BPA from baby food containers is a vital step. However, food packaging like soup cans continue to leach BPA, while additional household items contain other harmful chemicals from parabens in shampoo to phthalates in plastic toys.
There’s good news: Senator Seth Goodall has introduced a new bill to make it easier to regulate BPA in food packaging for adults and kids over 3, and to require the state to take action on 49 other dangerous chemicals linked to cancer, learning disabilities, and other serious health effects.
I urge all legislators to support LD 902, as well as Senator Goodall’s bill to reduce toxic chemicals in our homes. We owe it to current and future generations.
Lalla Carothers
Cumberland
