The Senate was set to consider a bipartisan deal to limit the use of BPA in children's products but as of yesterday the bill failed thanks to hard opposition from the American Chemistry Council and other lobbying efforts. The ban was proposed as an amendment to the food safety bill currently pending in the Senate.

According to the Journal Sentinel, the amendment would ban use of BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups as well as requiring the FDA to issue a revised safety assessment for the substance; and include a clause allowing states to enact their own legislation.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) said:

The evidence against BPA is mounting, especially its harmful effects on babies and children who are still developing. I very much regret that the chemical industry puts a higher priority on selling chemicals than on the health of infants. I will not cease in my efforts to remove BPA from products where it can harm human health, and I urge consumers to vote with their pocketbooks by refusing to purchase products that contain BPA.

According to the Washington Post, more than 200 studies have connected BPA to a range of health concerns, including cancer and developmental and reproductive problems and it's already banned in certain products in some U.S. cities.

Intense lobbying efforts from the American Chemistry Council, Grocery Manufacturers Association, and the Chamber of Commerce did in the amendment.

The FDA says that it has "some concern" with BPA but not enough to completely restrict it. And the National Institutes of Health are spending $30 million to study it further. As far as I'm concerned the evidence is already there proving the very real risk of BPA, so especially when it comes to the little ones, avoid any kid's products without a label that says it's free of this toxic substance.