The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has imposed a temporary national ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in certain products intended for children three years of age and younger.

Under the scope of the ban are feeding bottles, feeding cups and materials which come into contact with food for such children. It also covers those materials in the Danish order on breast milk substitutes and mixed substitutes for babies and young children (No 1504 dated 13 December 2007) and the order on manufactured food for young children and babies (No 355 dated 17 June 1998).

Labeled as "temporary," the precautionary ban was introduced on the basis of studies that have raised uncertainties about whether even small amounts of BPA have an impact on the learning capacity of newborn rats. The ban will remain in effect until additional studies document that low doses of BPA do not have an impact on the development of the nervous system or on the behavior of rats, according to a government statement.

The ban provides for a three-month transitional period during which products that are currently in stock may be sold. This transitional period ends on July 1, 2010, and beginning on that date it will be illegal to continue to sell these products in Denmark.

For more information about this ban, click here.