- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
Polycarbonate-Free Baby Bottles Available
at Whole Foods Market Stores Nationwide
(AUSTIN TX) November 29, 2006 - Polycarbonate-free baby bottles and child drinking cups from Born Free™ are now available at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. In early 2006, Whole Foods Market stopped selling baby bottles and child drinking cups made from polycarbonate plastic and plastics containing phthalates because of emerging scientific evidence of their risk.
“After thoroughly reviewing current scientific work on this subject, it is clear to us there is still substantial research to be done. Meanwhile, we are following recommendations from credible experts that polycarbonate drinking containers for children could be risky, so we have decided to take precaution and offer only polycarbonate-free bottles and cups for them at this time,” said Joe Dickson, quality standards coordinator for Whole Foods Market. “Many of our shoppers have been looking for alternatives for their children so we are proud to announce that we now have Born Free products in our stores across the country.”
A growing body of evidence suggests that the chemical bisphenol A may leach from bottles and cups made of polycarbonate plastic and that this compound can act as an endocrine disrupter, a substance that mimics human hormones*. The Born Free™ bottles are made of Polyamide PA, a form of nylon, instead of polycarbonate-containing plastic.
Born Free™ also utilizes a proprietary venting system which helps reduce vacuum pressure, which helps eliminate gas and spit up. The venting systems have also been shown to assist in the reduction of risk for middle ear infections (Brown and Magnuson, 2000). These products are made from a honey-colored plastic that is dishwasher safe (top rack). Born Free™ products are endorsed by the Children’s Health Environment Coalition.
“Whole Foods Market has been instrumental in bringing Born Free’s feeding systems into the national spotlight,” said Kevin Brodwick, Vice President of Born Free. “After passing through rigorous testing and review by Whole Foods Market Global Quality Standards Team, we are excited to be able to provide Whole Foods Market customers a safer alternative for baby bottles and children’s drinking cups.”
Products available through Whole Foods Market include: Starter Kit, $44.99; Bottle Wide Neck Twin Pack, $19.99; Nipples stages 2 and 3, $4.99 each; Nipples Variable Flow Twin Pack, $4.99; Drinking Cups, $9.99; Training Cups, $9.99; Training/Drinking Cup Spouts, $4.99; Twister Brush Set, $8.99.
For further information please visit: www.wholefoodsmarket.com and www.newbornfree.com.
*For an overview of recent research, see VomSaal, F and Hughes, C. An Extensive New Literature Concerning Low-Dose Effects of Bisphenol A Shows the Need for a New Risk Assessment. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2005 Aug;113(8):926-33.
About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America’s first national certified organic grocer. In fiscal year 2005, the company had sales of $4.7 billion and currently has more than 185 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Whole Foods Market motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures the company’s mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Whole Foods Market, Harry’s Farmers Market®, and Fresh & Wild® are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Whole Foods Market employs more than 40,000 team members and has been ranked for nine consecutive years as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine.
Editors, please note:
Media interested in further information or interviews, please contact:
Shannon Mitchell at 415-359-2306, shannon@landispr.com or
Erin Couch at 415.359.2317, erin@landispr.com. |
