Coca-Cola shareholders will vote today on a resolution that would require the soft drink giant to publicly disclose how it is responding to growing health concerns regarding Bisphenol-A, or BPA. As the AJC and others have reported, BPA is a chemical in the liners of its cans that is used to prevent spoilage.
The resolution asks Coca-Cola to issue a report to its investors disclosing how it is responding to public concerns about the safety of BPA, outline a plan to develop alternatives to BPA and address what the company is doing to maintain leadership and public trust on this issue.
Coke’s leadership is urging investors to reject the resolution, arguing that the company is responding appropriately and that its cans are safe.
I introduced a bill this legislative session that addresses the health issues of BPA, and in particular its effects on infants. The bill (HB 431) would ban the manufacture, sale or distribution in Georgia of infant formula or baby food stored in plastic containers that contain BPA.
Although HB 431 did not receive a hearing during the 2011 session, it attracted co-sponsors from both parties, and from now until the start of the 2012 session I will be working to build support for the bill.
What is BPA, and why should we be concerned about it? BPA is an industrial chemical used in many consumer products, including clear plastic containers, metal can linings, dental sealants and reusable water bottles.
A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that BPA can mimic or block hormones and disrupt the body’s normal functions. Americans are routinely exposed to levels of BPA that cause harm in animals, according to the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences.
Studies show BPA to be linked with infertility, weight gain, behavioral changes, early onset of puberty, prostate cancer and breast cancer, and diabetes. BPA is of particular concern for babies, children and pregnant women.
BPA bans are already in place in eight states and a growing number of U.S. localities, as well as Canada, the European Union and China. The Food and Drug Administration has expressed concern about BPA and supports actions to stop the production of BPA in baby bottles and infant feeding cups. Bills similar to mine are now being considered by a number of state legislatures.
I hope that Georgians will join with me in working to protect the health of our infants. Although my bill would not affect the production of Coca-Cola cans or other containers not used by infants, I urge Coca-Cola and other Georgia companies to act in the interests of all their consumers by considering safer alternatives to BPA.
Coca-Cola rightly prides itself on its corporate responsibility. As such, I wish Coca-Cola would embrace, and not oppose, the resolution. Doing so would make it a better, more responsible company.
State Rep. Scott Holcomb, a Democrat, represents House District 82.
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