Minn. House votes to curb chemical in kid products

By wide margins, the Minnesota House has approved two bills to curb the use of certain chemicals in products made for children.

Both proposals passed Friday with all but about a dozen House members on board.

One prohibits the sale of food containers, formula and baby food containing the chemical bisphenol A. The prohibition would be phased in over two years, with a goal of clearing shelves of products containing the chemical in 2015.

BPA is used to line food cans and harden plastic to make it shatterproof, but some are worried that it contains toxic agents harmful to health.

Minnesota previously banned the chemical from plastic baby bottles and sippy cups.

The other bill bars use of formaldehyde in shampoos and other care products designed for young children.

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