Why the FDA doesn't ban BPA, food colorants and other hazardous chemicals?

On October 10th, The Associated Press reported that the American Chemistry council has asked federal regulators to phase out rules that allow BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups. Although this sounds like progress, the AP is concerned that this request could " head off tougher laws that would ban the chemical from other types of packaging".

BPA has become a buzz word, generating controversy about the safety of many of every day products - yet it still shows up in baby products, cash register receipts and canned products. According to a study published in the Journal of Molecular Endocrinology, BPA may cause changes in the breast tissue, predisposing animals to breast cancer. Yet, the FDA continues to allow it?

The Environmental Health news sited a study that explained gene alterations in newborn male rates that were exposed to BPA. These alterations had lasting effects on reproductive hormones when they reached adulthood. So what gives?

All of this information leads us to ask why the FDA does not ban BPA, food colorants and other hazardous chemicals? This article summarizes the answer well.. http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/10/why-the-fda-doesnt-ban-food-colors-bpa-and-other-chemicals/246011/ - the link between Science and Politics. For parents and care givers, the absence of legislation provides extra work - committing to researching safe and healthy alternatives for our children.