Augusta - It's the publics turn to weigh in on the battle to get a potentially harmful chemical out of children's food packaging.

The chemical in question is Bisphenol-A more commonly known as BPA, a chemical put in the lining of canned foods that is supposed to protect the metal.

Two years ago the use of BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups was was prohibited here in Maine.

Back in June a petition with more than 800 signatures was submitted asking state officials to expand that ban to cover all infant and toddler food packaging. "It give to parents certainty. That they can walk in to any store in Maine and know for sure that any food they pick up for their babies and small children won't have BPA in it," said Steve Taylor, the Program Director at the Environmental Health and Strategy Center.

Hundreds of people showed up at a public hearing on the issue that was held in Augusta. Among those testifying was heather Spalding, a Palermo mother of two. "There are many people in Maine who are supporting clean, healthy, toxic free food supply and really seeking that out," Spalding said. "I just want to be here to let the folks know there are many of us who really want to protect our kids from toxics in food."

There were some folks in attendance who are oppose the petition. Representatives from the Maine State Chamber of Commerce say there's already a process in place to look at potential harmful chemicals, and say this proposal is redundant. "We have a process in place that looks at credible scientific evidence, the Maine CDC and the Maine DEP work in conjunction. So there's a process in place," said Ben Gilman from the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. "We're opposed to the petition today because it's an end run around that process we just set up in that last legislative session."

If the proposal is approved by the BEP, it will still need final approval from the legislature. The deadline to submit public comments online is September 28. If you want to leave a comment for the Board of Environmental Protection you can follow the link below.
http://www.maine.gov/dep/rules/

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