Law banning sales of baby products with BPA to kick in

Minnesota's pioneering law to keep a controversial chemical out of plastic baby bottles and sippy cups will be phased in starting next week.

Starting Jan. 1, Minnesota manufacturers or wholesalers won't be able to sell cups and bottles for use by children 3 and younger if the products contain BPA. That's short for bisphenol-A, which is a chemical used to line food cans and harden plastic to make it shatterproof.

Consumer saftey groups argue that long-term exposure to the chemical can disrupt hormones and lead to other health problems.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration previously said the chemical is safe, but it is reviewing that conclusion.

Step two of Minnesota's law kicks in Jan. 1, 2011, when retailers will be prohibited from selling children's products with BPA. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)