BPA, bisphenol-A: Baby bottles, sippy cups can no longer contain the chemical, FDA says

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government says baby bottles and sippy cups can no longer contain the controversial chemical bisphenol-A, or BPA.

The U.S. chemical industry's chief association, the American Chemistry Council, had asked the Food and Drug Administration to change its rule in October, after determining that all manufacturers of bottles and sippy cups had already abandoned BPA due to concerns about its health effects.

The chemical industry's request may help curb years of negative publicity from consumer groups and head off tougher laws that would ban BPA from other types of packaging because of health worries.

Legislation introduced by some members of Congress would ban BPA nationwide in all canned food, water bottles and food containers. Chemical makers maintain that the plastic-hardening chemical is safe for all food and drink uses.