Lululemon follows MEC’s lead in pulling bottles

Lululemon Athletica is the second Canadian retailer pull water bottles containing bisphenol A from their shelves. Beginning in January, the popular athletic and yogawear stores will no longer sell hard plastic bottles containing the chemical, following Mountain Equipment Co-op’s lead.

Bisphenol A is currently under review as part of the federal government’s Chemicals Management Plan, and the Ontario government recently announced that an expert panel will review bisphenol A and other toxic chemicals for regulation. A preliminary report is expected in the spring. Health Canada officials have not issued a recall notice.

“These are the retailers that get it,” said Dr. Rick Smith, executive director of Toronto’s Environmental Defence. “They recognize that there are alternatives and have made their customers’ health the priority. I have no doubt that other large Canadian retailers will be following suit in short order.”

The chemical is found in clear reusable water bottles and baby bottles made from
polycarbonate, as well as in the linings of some food cans (including infant formula cans).

The plastics industry maintains that small amounts of the chemical are completely safe. How do you know if your water bottle puts you at risk? Plastic containers with bisphenol A have the number “7″ inside the triangle stamped on the bottom.

“We have been following this issue very closely for over a year,” said a spokesperson for Lululemon Athletica Inc. “While the research to date is non-conclusive and Health Canada has yet to issue their report, we have the bottles currently in the stores. However, we have decided that starting in January all new water bottles arriving in our stores will be made of acrylic and 100 per cent BPA free.”

Mountain Equipment Co-op made the decision earlier this month to pull most food and drink containers with the chemical from its shelves.