How to identify BPA-, Phthalate- and PVC-free baby bottles

Most plastic bottles are suitable for recycling. On the bottom of these recyclable bottles is a small “recycling” triangle and inside of that triangle is a number from 1 (one) to 7 (seven).

The lower numbers represent poor quality bottling and packaging materials. A 7 (seven) inside the triangle indicates that the plastic is of the highest quality bottling material – AND NOTHING ELSE.

If no triangle or number appears on the bottom of the bottle, chances are that the quality of the container is questionable at best. It can, therefore, be concluded that the number inside the triangle is NO indication that the plastic contains Polycarbonate or not. The presence of the letters “PC” below the triangle is an indication that the plastic contains Polycarbonate which we believe is harmful to health (especially in baby feeding bottles).

Here is an answer to obtaining BPA-, phthalate-, and PVC-free baby feeding bottles. These bottles (and other plastic containers) are marked with the “recycle triangle” containing “5” or “05” with PP at the bottom of the triangle (instead of PC). The PP stands for Polypropaline.

Download additional material:

• Press release: CANSA gives Seal of Recognition to BPA free bottles
• Download the ‘Plastic Identification Codes’ list (supplied by Plastics|SA).
• Common chemical cancer link The Star article 12 Aug