Minnesota restricts BPA

Minnesota this week became the first state to restrict bisphenol A, when Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a bill phasing out BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups. Pawlenty also signed the a piece of legislation called the Toxic Free Kids Act, which requires the state Health Department to assess chemicals used in consumer products. The BPA ban takes effect in January 2011. Since most manufacturers of baby bottles and sippy cups are already rushing to find alternative materials to replace polycarbonate, chances already are pretty good that these products will disappear from store shelves everywhere -- not just in Minnesota -- well before the deadline.