From Lisa Barnes
As consumers we’re constantly bombarded with information about what to buy. As moms we have to filter and research that information to make the healthiest and safest choices for our kids and families.
When I heard about the latest recall (voluntary) from a company I thought was eco friendly and trustworthy, I had to spread the word. Sigg has announced that the liners in their aluminum bottles manufactured before August 2008 contained BPA (Bisphenol A). Apparently those made after that date have a new BPA free liner. However you need to look at the color of the liner (see photo) to determine if you have the new or old liner, as some bottles, though purchased recently may have been backstocked at the retailer. You may send your old bottles back to Sigg and they will send you a coupon code to order new bottles. I also know of some local retailers such as Whole Foods, REI and hardware stores who may switch them out for you (or even give store credit), depending on stock and policy.
This really saddens and angers me, as not only have I advocated for the use of such on-the-go bottles in my classes and book, but also use them for my family. Whether you believe their reports that the BPA does not leak and is safe or not – consumers should have all the knowledge to choose. If you are looking for other BPA free drinking bottle options, here are some to consider: Klean Kanteen, CamelBak, Kids Konserve, EarthLust, and Eco Vessel.
I traded in a few of my Sigg’s for new ones, however I don’t feel good using them. The company wasn’t honest and I don’t want to promote them. Although I like their shapes, sizes and tops, we also have Klean Kanteens and Kids Konserve options for lunchboxes. I certainly won’t buy more Siggs. I just bought the CamelBak kids bottles for a try. Yes, they are BPA free, plus my kids were really wanting to try out the straws. (I did take away THEIR cups by the way). After a recall or problem with a child’s item, it puts the parent in an tough position. You have to teach your child about the possible harmful product (good lesson from mom), but you have to take away a favorite item (bad mom).
I can’t say what the be all end all is in reusable cups – especially as the landscape changes. However all we can do is our best to research and try to make a healthy consumer decision for what we know at the moment. I can’t beat myself up (and neither should you) about things I thought were safe and turn out maybe not so great. At least we’re safely drinking (as far as we know) at home, when it’s good old fashioned glasses made of glass.
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Lisa Barnes is author of The Petit Appetit Cookbook: Easy, Organic Recipes to Nurture Your Baby and Toddler
I know what you mean about a lack of trust in manufacterers who have been caught fibbing (to put it mildly). As foster parents to a ‘failure to thrive’ 20-month-old baby with a feeding tube, we made what we thought was an intelligent, informed decision to put “Raw Blue Agave Nectar” in her whole milk feeding tube at night (for the added calories). When we went to a natural food store in Charlottesville VA (Rebecca’s Natural Foods – GREAT people!) they had a notice posted under the display to the effect of ‘this stuff isn’t any better than HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) based upon an article published on the Weston A Price Foundation website!!
We have been in an Email exchange with the manufacturer (so far they’re replying with PR stuff) and we hope to get them to state whether or not their product gets processed the same way as HFCS (using higher heat than they claim PLUS an alkyloid re-agent.
We’ll keep you posted as time permits.
Peace,
Joseph and Pam
South Central VA