The Canadian government announced this week that they are taking steps to ban the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles that contain Bisphenol A (BPA). Here’s a short rundown on what you need to know about BPA, and where to go to find out more information:   

What is BPA? Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. BPA is commonly used in food and drink packaging, including:  

Hard plastic water bottles

Sippy cups

Infant bottles

Protective liners in metal cans

Reusable food containers  

You can often tell which products contain BPA by looking for the #7 Recycling Code on the bottom.  

How does BPA affect me?  Studies have shown that Bisphenol A can leech from food and drink containers (like metal cans) and products made of polycarbonate plastic into whatever is being consumed. The amount of BPA that leeches into your food or drink depends on the temperature the plastic is heated to – the higher the temperature, the more BPA can leech into your food.   

Should I be worried? Studies have shown that BPA contains estrogenic properties which could cause health problems including an increase of cancer, early onset of puberty, infertility, obesity and ADHD.  However, at this time the Canadian government is only taking steps to ban BPA in baby bottles as they have found that those most likely at risk from the toxins are newborns.  

What can I do? At the moment BPA has not been labeled a toxic substance, but if that happens then you may need to take a closer look at the types of bottles and food storage systems your family is using. In Canada some major retailers have started to remove from their shelves all plastic water bottles and baby bottles containing BPA.  

To further educate yourself on the BPA debate, check out some of the resources found on BabyZone:  

Simple Ideas for a Less-Toxic Home

Eco-Friendly Basics for Baby

Your Guide to Living Green During Pregnancy

Throughout my life, my dreams have placed a magnifying glass over my emotions and thoughts. I’ve found comfort in my ability to look inward—whether I was asleep or awake—and recognize what people, events, actions, or circumstances were impacting me in a positive or negative way. At the same time, I was plagued by nightmares as a child. What I didn’t know then was that I had the power to alter how those nightmares played out—I could’ve turned fear into courage and faced or escaped my monsters, literally and figuratively. 

That’s why I’m so excited about our newest tool, the Child Dream Interpreter, which can interpret your kid’s dream—or even a dream from your own childhood—based on the elements of the dream or nightmare. It's not going to provide all the answers because dreams are so personal, but the information will give you a general idea of what occurrences or feelings could be influencing your children.

Use the Child Dream Interpreter as a starting point for talking to your kids about what they think their dreams mean. A positive dream can trigger great joy in kids. In these dreams, they can be heroes, go on adventures, and do amazing things. Encourage these thoughts by asking children to describe what they see and do and how they feel during the dream. Your interest will make a big impact on them.  

Plus, if your kid is experiencing nightmares like I did, don’t dismiss them with words like, “It’s just a nightmare.” For children, these scary dreams feel very real. Instead, follow our dream expert’s advice to help kids fight their fears and use the Child Dream Interpreter to figure out what they're facing. By showing children that they can alter their dreams, you’ll help them use their imagination in beneficial ways, inspire confidence, teach important lessons in a dynamic way, and develop a closer bond with your children because you’ll be able to relate to them on their level.  

So much can come from examining our dreams. We hope using the Child Dream Interpreter will be fun and enriching for the entire family.

Join in the experience!

Christine Porretta, Kaboose.com Health Editor

While my love affair with chocolate started a long time ago, I only just learned how to truly appreciate it. Like most people, I usually scarf down chocolate as fast as a fish in a feeding frenzy. But at an event at The New York Academy of Sciences, on the eve of Valentine’s Day, I took a journey in taste, sampling different types of chocolate made with different amounts of cocoa. I realized that the flavor of a piece of dark chocolate can change as quickly as a child’s mood, nor does it have to be as bitter as that scowl your kid gives you after hearing the word no. As I let each rich and smooth morsel pass my lips, letting it begin to melt on my tongue before moving it to the roof of my mouth so I could suck with restraint, I was surprised to see how some chocolate pieces would transition from tart to spicy to flowery, all within moments. One had such a fragrant taste that it reminded me of a perfume my aunt wore when I was a child. Who knew chocolate could draw out memories from long ago?

I was also surprised to find that it was hard to sample the sixth and last piece of chocolate. My taste buds and tummy had had their fill. How many extra calories have I consumed over the years because of the vacuum approach I had taken with chocolate? I can’t imagine doing that anymore, knowing that simply a small square of cocoa-rich goodness can satisfy a craving. Plus, one recent, small study, published in Journal of the American Medical Association, even found that a little dark chocolate goes a long way in reducing blood pressure for adults who are at risk for high blood pressure or who are in an early stage of it. Over the course of 18 weeks, researchers gave 44 adults, ages 56 through 73, slightly more than 6 g (30 calories) per day of dark chocolate or nearly 6 g of white chocolate and measured results. Not surprisingly, white chocolate didn’t affect blood pressure. While the information from this study doesn’t amount to a no-fail prescription for reducing hypertension—and it certainly isn’t a recommendation for how much dark chocolate you should eat on a daily basis—it’s still good news for chocolate lovers everywhere. 

So what makes chocolate a magical food? Scientists suspect that bitter-tasting plant compounds, called flavanols, are behind chocolate’s health-promoting abilities, particularly for cardiovascular wellness. If the chocolate you’re eating is very dark, it more likely contains higher levels of flavanols than a lighter-colored chocolate because it contains more cocoa. Labels for dark chocolate often indicate cocoa or cacao (the terms are used interchangeably) percentages. However, keep in mind that this percentage refers to the amount of cocoa powder, chocolate liquor, and cocoa butter in the product. Cocoa powder is formed when cocoa butter is extracted from chocolate liquor and the remaining mass is pulverized, and it’s this non-fat cocoa solid that’s famous for its flavanol content. Since you don’t know how much of that cacao or cocoa percentage is actually cocoa, you can’t be certain you’re getting the flavanol bang your buck is paying for. (White chocolate doesn’t contain flavanols because it doesn’t contain chocolate liquor or cocoa powder—it’s made from cocoa butter.) In addition, according to the Chocolate Manufacturers Association, a number of factors, including cacao bean selection, handling, and processing, can positively or negatively affect the amount of flavanols in the chocolate you eat.

Overall, this is great news right? You’ve been given a green light to eat a sweet. But don’t forget that the focus here is moderation. You shouldn’t replace the produce in your grocery cart with chocolate bars. But you can splurge on decadent dark chocolate and eat a small piece every so often—just don’t overindulge. Eating too much of any type of chocolate can still pack on pounds. Learn from my lesson: Savor the square for big satisfaction.

Enjoy! Christine Porretta Health Editor, Kaboose.com

 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Sketchbooks with Colored Spirals

Units: About 80,000

Distributor: eeBoo Corp., of New York, N.Y.

Hazard: The paint on the sketchbooks' colored spiral metal bindings contains excessive levels of lead violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled children's sketchbooks have colored spiral metal bindings, drawing paper, and cardboard covers in the following styles. "eeBoo" and the style name are printed on a sticker on the back cover.

Style Name and Size:

Drawing Birds (yellow spiral) 8 ½" x 11 ½" -- "eeBoo Great Illustrators Sketchbook" is printed on front cover

Butterflies (yellow spiral) 8 ½" x 11 ½"½" -- "eeBoo Great Illustrators Sketchbook" is printed on front cover

Garden Party (green spiral) 8 ½" x 11 ½"½" -- "eeBoo Great Illustrators Sketchbook" is printed on front cover

Up in the Tree (green spiral) 8 ½" x 11 ½"½" -- "eeBoo Great Illustrators Sketchbook" is printed on front cover

Nemo with Princess in Balloon (red spiral) 8 ½" x 11 ½"½" -- "Sketchbook" is printed on front cover

Nature (yellow spiral) 8 ½" x 11 ½"½" -- "eeBoo Great Illustrators Sketchbook" is printed on front cover

Princess and Butterflies (yellow spiral) 8 ½" x 11 ½"½" -- "Sketchbook" is printed on front cover

Princess and Butterflies (yellow spiral) 10" x 14" ½" -- "Sketchbook" is printed on front cover

Other styles of sketchbooks with colored or plain metal spiral bindings are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Specialty and gift stores nationwide from September 2005 through January 2008 for about $6.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled sketchbooks away from children and contact eeBoo Corp. to receive a free replacement sketchbook with a plain metal spiral.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact eeBoo Corp. at (800) 791-5619 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.eeBoo.com

In an article published by the New England Journal of Medicine, there is a strong argument to push children's cold and cough medicines off of store shelves.

Although parents have been using them for years to combat colds in little ones, experts say it's not worth the risk as too many children are landing in emergency rooms due to overdoses.

From the NationalPost.com:

The pointed article, released Friday, takes aim at the medicine's efficacy, dosage recommendations, and potential for injury or even death for children under the age of six. It also takes exception to the way that the syrupy suppressants and sweet-tasting, decongestion tablets are marketed to panicked parents. Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: The First Years 3-in-1 Flush and Sounds Potty Seats

Units: About 160,000

Importer/Distributor: RC2 Corp., of Oak Brook, Ill.

Hazard: Decorative plaque inserted into the back of the potty seat could have orange paint that contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves the First Years 3-in-1 Flush and Sounds potty training seats. Each seat has either a yellow chair with a green removable seat and a purple lift out-pot or a blue chair with a white removable seat and green lift out-pot. The words "100 Acre Wood" are molded on the chair back. The plaque inserted into the back of the seat contains molded Winnie the Pooh and Tigger characters.

Manufactured in: China

Sold at: Mass and specialty retailers nationwide from April 2006 through August 2007 for between $20 and $25.

Remedy: Consumers should keep these recalled items away from young children and should contact RC2 to receive a permanent clear protective cover that covers the plaque. The unit can still be used as a potty seat.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact RC2 toll-free at (866) 725-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.recalls.rc2.com

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: The First Years Newborn-to-Toddler Reclining Feeding Seats

Units: About 100,000

Importer/Distributor: RC2 Corp., of Oak Brook, Ill.

Hazard: The restraining straps can pull out of the waist strap slots, posing a fall hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: RC2 has received 38 reports of straps pulling out or nearly pulling out of waist strap slots. There have been 12 reports of children falling out of the chairs.

Description: The First Years Newborn-to-Toddler Reclining Feeding Seat can be adjusted between reclining and upright positions. The seat includes a tray, reversible cushion and a three-point safety belt. One side of the seat cushion has a sewn-in label at the top which says "the first years by Learning Curve." This recall includes all feeding seats except those with an "R" stamped inside a raised circle located on the far left and right of the back of the seatback or those with waist strap slots that are nine inches apart.

Manufactured in: United States

Sold at: Various retailers nationwide from November 2006 through October 2007 for about $30.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the feeding seat immediately and contact RC2 to obtain free replacement straps.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact RC2 toll-free at (866) 725-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.recalls.rc2.com

Not recalled: Feeding seats with an "R" stamped inside a raised circle
located on the far left and right of the back of the seatback -or- Feeding seats with waist strap slots that are about nine inches apart  

NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 27, 2007
Release #08-103

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 352-2064
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Children’s fleece hooded zip-up jackets with neck drawstrings

Units: About 3,240

Distributor: The Bon-Ton Department Stores Inc., of York, Pa.

Hazard: The garments have a drawstring through the hood, which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled hooded zip-up sweatshirts are for Boys 8-20 and were made under the “Burnside” brand. The sweatshirts came in boys’ sizes small, medium, large and X-large and have various designs on the front. The recalled models have “RN # 39209” printed on the tag.

Sold at: Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers stores nationwide and Parisian stores in the Detroit area from August 2007 through October 2007 for between $18 and $30.

Manufactured in: Bangladesh, India and Pakistan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard or return the garment for a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information contact Bon-Ton toll-free at (866) 798-2875 anytime or visit www.bonton.com

Note: CPSC was notified about these garments by the Wisconsin Department of Consumer Protection.

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Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Graco® Children’s Products Announces a Voluntary Safety Recall for the Stand Alone SnugRide® Infant Car Seat Manufactured from August 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007

Exton, PA – Graco Children's Products Inc. today announced a voluntary recall on the stand alone SnugRide® infant car seats. On some of the 304,675 manufactured August 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007, the backing of the seat pad may pull away from the seams in an area reachable to the child occupant, exposing the pad filling and

 

posing a potential choking hazard.

 

This corrective action may affect SnugRide infant car seats with the following model numbers: 8609FOF2, 8609FOF3, 8616FOF2, 8616FOF3, 8643DDH2, 8643DDH3, 8643CDR2, 8643DH03, 8643SUP2, 8643SUP3, 8643JOS2, 8643JOS3, 8643MDW3, 8643PWC3, 8643SFJ3, 8645FMT2, 8645FMT3, 8645GLM3, 8645GLN3, 8645HEM2, 8645HEM3, 8645MYC2, 8646SML3, 8645MYC3, 8645MRG3, 8645PKR2, 8645SNY2, 8646SND2, 8645THR2, 8645THR3, 8646FIE2, 8646FIE3, 8646GRT3 and 8646RRY3. The model number and date of manufacture can be found on the label on the back of the car seats. These seats were sold in the United States at mass merchandisers, specialty retailers and department stores from August 2006 through November 11, 2007. This does not include any SnugRide models made before August 2006, as these products have a different design. This does not affect SnugRide models sold as a travel system.

To receive a replacement kit, which includes a replacement seat pad; consumers should call 1-800-345-4109 Monday–Friday between 8 am & 5 pm ET or visit www.gracobaby.com 24 hours a day to determine whether their car seat may be affected and to obtain instructions on how to receive a replacement cover. When calling Graco®, consumers should have the model number and date of manufacture of the car seat readily available. Consumers should not return the child restraint system to the retailer.

This matter does not affect the ability of the child restraint system to protect the occupant in the case of a motor vehicle crash. Product owners can continue use of the SnugRide® infant car seat as a child restraint. However, Graco® recommends that parents examine the seat pad on a periodic basis to ensure that the inner filling of the seat cover does not pull away from the seams and become exposed to a child and not necessarily wash the pad while they wait for the replacement cover.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Aqua Dots

Units: About 4.2 million

Distributor: Spin Master, of Toronto, Canada

Hazard: The coating on the beads that causes the beads to stick to each other when water is added contains a chemical that can turn toxic when many are ingested. Children who swallow the beads can become comatose, develop respiratory depression, or have seizures.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC has received two reports over the past several days of children swallowing Aqua Dots. A 20-month-old child swallowed several dozen beads. He became dizzy and vomited several times before slipping into a comatose state for a period of time, was hospitalized, and has since fully recovered. A second child also vomited and slipped into a comatose state and was hospitalized for five days.

Description: The recalled toy is a craft kit which allows children to create various multi-dimensional designs using small colored beads. The beads fuse together when sprayed with water. The recall applies to all models of Aqua Dots. The product is available in various different kits with accessories such as a drying fan, applicator pen, design templates for the beads, and spray bottle. The product is labeled for ages 4+.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers nationwide from April 2007 through November 2007 for between $17 and $30.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and contact Spin Master to return for free replacement beads or a toy of equal value.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Spin Master at (800) 622-8339 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.aquadotsrecall.com

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Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.