"France Bans Contested Chemical BPA in Food Packaging"

"PARIS -- The French parliament voted Thursday to ban the use of bisphenol A, a chemical thought to have a toxic effect on the brain and nervous system, in baby food packaging next year and all food containers in 2015."

"The chemical, commonly known as BPA, is used in "polycarbonate" types of hard plastic bottles and as a protective lining in food and beverage cans.

It became a concern following evidence in lab animals of a toxic effect on the brain and nervous system.

Some studies have found a link between exposure to BPA and coronary heart disease and reproductive disorders."

AFP had the story December 13, 2012.