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April 9, 2008
PMI/Aladdin/Stanley Statement Regarding Bisphenol-A
For many
decades, PMI/Aladdin/Stanley has responsibly produced to-go food and beverage
containers and we stand by the safety of all our products.
Polycarbonate
and Bisphenol-A
Some of our reusable water bottle products are made from
food-grade polycarbonate which includes a bonding ingredient known as Bisphenol-A (BPA). Food-grade polycarbonate has been
approved by the Food and Drug Administration for direct food contact use.
PMI/Aladdin/Stanley has closely monitored BPA and polycarbonate
findings from the Food and Drug Administration and many other reputable civic,
scientific and government organizations from around the world. These findings
and statements indicate that polycarbonate food and beverage containers are not
a health risk to humans, and based on these findings, we firmly believe in the
safety of our polycarbonate products.
The current position from the Food and Drug Administration,
from documents dated January 2008, states:
The agency has been actively reviewing the safety of BPA and
has completed a review of the available data obtained from animal studies, and
migration studies. Based on the results of the migration studies conducted by FDA
chemists, we have determined that the dietary exposure to BPA is low (3.7 ppb),
the level that is orders of magnitude below the levels known to cause toxic
effects in animals. Considering the low dietary exposure and the fact that BPA
had not demonstrated adverse effects when consumed by animals in amounts of
much higher (orders of magnitude) than humans would consume, FDA sees no reason
at this time to ban or otherwise restrict the uses now authorized. Our
conclusion is based on our ongoing review of all available data. We will
continue to monitor data on BPA to determine if its use would raise a safety
concern. If such a concern exists, FDA will take the appropriate post-market
regulatory action.
New Materials –
Aladdin Clean & Clever Water Bottle
PMI/Aladdin/Stanley also prides itself on offering solutions
to meet current lifestyles. As some consumers are mindful of BPA, Aladdin
recently introduced the Aladdin Clean & Clever® Water Bottle,
which does not contain BPA. The water bottle is made from a brand new
plastic called Eastman Tritan™ copolyester,
which is a completely different material than polycarbonate, and is Bisphenol-A free. Additional details can be found in the
press release below.
Number 7 Plastics
The numbers found on the bottom of plastic materials are
called the Resin Identification Code, which helps classify plastics for
recycling purposes. Details are found here: http://www.plasticsindustry.org/outreach/recycling/2124.htm
Polycarbonate is simply one type of plastic that is coded
#7. There are many, many other plastics coded as #7 that are NOT polycarbonate
and do NOT contain BPA. These include new bioplastics
fashioned from plants, as well as the copolyester
material used in Aladdin’s new BPA-free Clean & Clever Water Bottle. The
reason they are all coded #7 is simply because they do not fit into other
categories, and are therefore classified together as “other.”
Aladdin’s Clean and Clever Water Bottle is made of BPA-free material and is
labeled #7 as it is new material and does not fit into other classifications.
New Aladdin Water Bottle Offers Improved Quality and Performance
with Eastman Tritan™ Copolyester
Kingsport, Tenn., (March 27, 2008) – Aladdin®, a division of Pacific
Market International (Seattle, WA) and maker of a wide range of popular
insulated food and beverage storage products, recently partnered with Eastman
Chemical Company to develop and manufacture the CLEAN & CLEVER WATER
BOTTLE™ product line using new Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. Tritan combines the chemical resistance and low
residual stress of traditional copolyesters with
higher heat resistance, making it ideal for use in reusable food and beverage
containers that require excellent dishwasher durability. In addition, Tritan is
not manufactured with bisphenol-A (BPA).
The new product line was
recently launched at the International Home and Housewares
Show 2008 held at
A History of Fresh
Thinking
Celebrating its
100th anniversary in 2008, Aladdin has a long history of developing innovative
insulated storage products. Its most popular early product – the metal lunchbox
– became an icon of 20th Century design and remains an ensuring symbol of
American pop-culture. More recently, the company has developed a variety of
stylish storage product lines built on a foundation of inventive function and
design.
The attributes that have
personified the Aladdin brand for much of its history helped the company
recognize the value of Tritan
over alternative materials.
When Aladdin first
introduced the CLEAN & CLEVER WATER BOTTLE line, it was manufactured with
polycarbonate. However, as some consumers began asking for options for
materials that did not contain BPA, Aladdin began an active search for a
material that could match polycarbonate’s clarity and toughness
characteristics. Aladdin discovered Eastman Tritan copolyester and found the perfect fit.
The Material
Advantage
Tritan combines the chemical resistance
and low residual stress of traditional copolyesters
with higher heat resistance. This unique balance of properties gives molded
parts excellent dishwasher durability. In addition, the combination of lower
residual stress and Tritan’s
potential for faster molding cycles enables manufacturers greater design
flexibility while maximizing product differentiation and performance.
The new 24-oz water bottles
will be marketed to active women and their families. Not only is the new
polymer highly durable and dishwasher safe, it is also shatter, stain, scratch
and odor-resistant, making it perfect for families on the go.
“Tritan offers exceptional clarity
and unmatched durability when compared to polycarbonate,” explains Robert
Harris, CEO and Owner, Pacific Market International. “After a thorough
examination of Tritan and its benefits, we’re
confident we chose the most versatile polymer on the market.”
Eastman Tritan also has excellent processability and can be used in molds designed for
polycarbonate. From initial R&D testing to retail rollout, Aladdin was able
to commercialize the CLEAN & CLEVER product line within eight months.
“While our operations team
had little experience working with copolyester
molding in the past, the performance characteristics of Tritan made the transition far
easier than we could have predicted,” says Harris.
The Aladdin CLEAN &
CLEVER line of water bottles will be sold at Kohl’s Department Store and online
through Aladdin at www.aladdinsustain.com
“In today’s increasingly
competitive marketplace, brand owners and product designers are constantly
seeking new methods to differentiate products and meet changing consumer
needs,” says Randy Beavers, Polymer Solutions Executive, Specialty Plastics
Business Organization, Eastman Chemical Company. “We’re pleased that Aladdin
has chosen our new-generation copolyester as a way to
differentiate their product’s performance.”
About Aladdin®
For more than 90 years, Aladdin Industries has
produced many of
About PMI
Established in
1983, privately-held Pacific Market International (PMI) revolutionizes the way
people eat and drink on the go. The company owns the Stanley®, Aladdin® and
MiGo® brands and operates a thriving private-label business for globally
recognized companies. PMI is headquartered in
About Eastman Chemical Company
Eastman
manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics worldwide. It
provides key differentiated coatings, adhesives and specialty plastics
products; is a major supplier of cellulose acetate fibers; and produces PET polymers
for packaging. As a Responsible Care® company,
Eastman is committed to achieving the highest standards of health, safety,
environmental and security performance. Founded in 1920 and headquartered
in
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