The chemical bisphenol A (BPA) that is found in plastic water bottles, baby bottles, canned food and other products is safe, according to a new report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released on Friday. The study found that the trace amounts of the chemical that leech into food and liquid are not dangerous to adults or infants, though the FDA did leave open the need for further testing. Stan Breckenridge, which created a BPA-free kit of five different bottle styles in reaction to safety concerns, hopes the new report will finally clear the air. "I think it alleviates the paranoia that was caused by the sensationalized news reports," he says. "I think it instills consumer confidence back into the products.

The FDA in my opinion is as credible a source as it gets and we stand behind."The new FDA report was prompted by the findings by the National Toxicology Program that found "some concern" about BPA effects on infants. The report was picked up by the Today Show in April, kicking off a wave of concern among consumers and the industry as to the safety of certain plastic bottles made with BPA. Industry suppliers denied there were any safety concerns, calling them overblown, but many began offering BPA-free bottles to worried distributors.

One of those suppliers was Garyline, a domestic manufacturer which stopped offering water bottles made with BPA altogether and shed any it had in its inventory. "Knowing the regulations and testing it went through, I felt BPA was safe," says Garry Hellinger, CEO. "But after hearing the Today Show, the people we sell to and their clients became extremely concerned. So we had to go along with what customers were asking us. It was good that the FDA did the new study. It might eliminate some litigious people. We're just going along with what our customers feel is important to them. Our customers are who run our business and I think we all know that.

“How the new report will affect California's proposed bill requiring that all products or food containers used by children three years and younger contain only trace amounts of BPA is still to be determined. The measure has been passed by the state senate and is awaiting a vote in the assembly. No matter how the vote goes, the damage may already be done to any products that contain BPA, says Breckenridge.  "I just did a show and the people weren't aware of the finding of the FDA. They were only aware of the original report and had an alarmist attitude. I hope that California sees the recent findings and realizes we don't need another regulation that would proliferate."