December 3, 2007

Brenda Patterson
General Manager of Children’s Services
Metro Hall
10th Floor, 55 John Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 3C6

Dear Brenda Patterson,

I am writing to you in support of the Better Daycare Food Network’s request to eliminate exposure to the endocrine disruptor, bisphenol A in City of Toronto day cares, by switching to the non-canned version (fresh, frozen, in a glass container, or cooked from scratch) for the following foods: fruits, vegetables, sauces, soup and fish.

Bisphenol A is used in many everyday products, such as hard plastic bottles (including baby bottles) and the linings of some food and drink cans. An expert panel of the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) has concluded that BPA exposure to fetuses and to children could have behavioural and nervous system impacts. A precautionary approach demands that we reduce our exposure to this chemical.

Daycares should be healthy environments for children and parents are increasingly concerned about exposure to potentially damaging toxins. The City College day care, run by George Brown College, has already decided to phase out the use of bisphenol A products as much as possible.

The provincial and federal governments are considering regulating bisphenol A, but this process may take considerable time to implement. After meeting with our advocates the McGuinty government said they will ban the chemical if necessary.

We urge you to take this request seriously and ban bisphenol A in your Toronto day cares.

Sincerely,

Rick Smith, Ph. D
Executive Director
Environmental Defence

cc. to the City Councillors on the Board of Health
Andreea Ionescu

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