SIGG Bottles, not as safe as we have been lead to believe?

SIGG Replacement Bottles - Update

Thanks to a CleanLife reader and one of CleanLife's favourite companies, BIOME (www.biome.com.au) we have discovered a little more about the SIGG saga detailed below.

The really good news is that SIGG are offering to replace your bottles with their new BPA free version. You need only return your bottles by mail, free post and notify them of which bottle you would like for a replacement. Full details are below in an email sent to one of our CleanLife readers from the Australian SIGG distributor;

"Our company is distributing SIGG in Australia.
First of all we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your loyalty and trust towards our products.
After headlines dominating some internet blogs over the past few days about “SIGG and BPA” we would like to clarify the situation with some firsthand information based on facts.
The former SIGG liner (applied until July/August 2008) did undergo regular tests, which were carried out under the watchful eyes of highly regarded, independent laboratories in Europe and the U.S.A. (to view the tests please log on to http://www.siggaustralia.com.au )
All of the test results show: No leaching of BPA! in the former SIGG liner. (BPA information for Australia and New Zealand are published under http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/c...isphenol-a.htm http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/news...ndfood4218.cfm )
Based on these facts, we are confident, that the former SIGG liner is safe!
However, if you feel in any way uncomfortable with your SIGG bottles that still have the former SIGG liner, SIGG offers you to swap it for a new bottle with the new “EcoCare-Liner”, introduced in Summer 2008.
The new SIGG “EcoCare-Liner” is a powder-based, co-polyester that has been thoroughly tested and certified not only to be 100% BPA-free and as well free of phthalates, BADGE, BFDGE & NOGE.
Just log on to http://www.siggaustralia.com.au choose your favourite design, write the SIGG-Code on a piece of paper with your address details and send your old liner bottle to the address below:
SIGG Exchange Reply Paid: 86193 Werribee VIC 3030
All costs involved of handling/ postage goes on us.
We hope that you will continue to have confidence in the quality and safety of SIGG products. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us"

The other good news your retailer should also be able to issue a replacement free of charge, if you would like to deal in person. Additionally although it may not give you complete peace of mind, despite the epoxy resin previously used containing BPA, there has not been any evidence at this stage to suggest that it has leached into water contained in the bottles.

To find out a whole lot more about this story and to help you make your decision about your next reusable water bottle purchase, check out the 'accidental greenie' blog from BIOME founder Tracey Bailey. It is very open and honest about the whole saga.
http://accidental-greenie.blogspot.com/search/label/SIGG

For those of you looking for an alternative brand / type of drinking flask, a safe option is usually pure stainless steel. These are becoming readily available, but ensure you are not being exposed to nickel and other contaminants by choosing 18/10 or surgical grade stainless steel items. As Tracey rightly points out their are many cheap versions that are likely to be bulk manufactured and not the highest in quality.

Happy water guzzling

Gina




Previous blog on this topic.......................on 12/10/09

I am so sick and tired of companies telling blatant lies!!

The latest in this list of unethical companies is SIGG! Yes I was shocked too. These guys sell re-usable bottles that we greenies like to drink from so we avoid plastic and the potential BPA and other nasties that they can contain. There was murmurs some time ago that the epoxy resin used to line SIGGs bottles may leach a number of toxic compounds, however an 'independent' report was swiftly released (now I am wondering just how independent it really was), showing that their was no leaching of BPA into the contents (water) in bottles. The bottles were said to be BPA free! While it may (or may not) be true that the lining does not leach, the bottles (we now find out, thanks to the environmental working group) were made of BPA based epoxy resin as the lining, up until mid 2008, so many of us (including me) may still be using bottles containing BPA. The bottles are no longer lined with BPA epoxy resin, but they still do use a lining, and at this stage they won't reveal the contents of this lining.

In the US you can get a replacement, new bottle (if you want one!) from SIGG retailers, I am not sure of the situation in Australia, so you may need to contact the shop you purchased from.

Patagonia, who is in the green retail world, a GIANT, is now refusing to sell the bottles, so hopefully SIGG will suffer from this.

To any CleanLife readers who have been using these bottles, we are very sorry, we have been too!


Read the full report below.

http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2009/09/sigg-it%E2%80%99s-not-easy-not-being-green/

If you have news or updates on this story, please let us know.


Sick to the stomach

Gina

Seminar: The Green Goddess and The Additive Queen

If you are in Perth and haven't heard the wonderful Julie Eady and Narelle Chenery speak, then it is time to get yourself over to Como for a couple of hours. Personally I find both of these women incredibly inspiring, they are making our world a safer place. Avoiding additives in food and synthetic chemicals in your personal care products is easier than you think, and these lovely ladies will show you how!

The Green Goddess & The Additive Queen Join Forces

Join Narelle Chenery and Julie Eady as they share their knowledge and experience of the food and beauty industries to make you an informed consumer and improve the health and well being of your family.

Narelle Chenery is the creator of Miessence, the world's first certified organic skin care and personal care range. She is a passionate educator and activist for social and consumer change, speaking worldwide to business leaders, entrepreneurs, cosmetic industry professionals and government bodies. Narelle, a mother of three, has also written articles for leading health publications.

Narelle is passionate about empowering and educating consumers on how to avoid harmful chemicals in their products. “Misleading labels and clever marketing gimmicks relating to organic content can often mask the use of potentially toxic ingredients” she says, “which seriously undermines the integrity of the organic claim.”

The majority of the more than $100 billion dollar world-wide cosmetic industry supports a toxic chemical industry. Narelle quotes Gandhi, “Non-cooperation with evil is a sacred duty”, and adds “Education is the key. If we know how to read labels, we can choose to avoid toxins.”

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Julie Eady was a young mother in Perth’s suburbs when the birth of her first child seven years ago prompted her to have a better look at what her baby was actually consuming.

She deciphered all the little numbers listed on the ingredients list of a wide range of processed foods and discovered that many of the additives – designed to enhance food’s flavour, colour or texture – were either banned or restricted in other countries.

She says some of the additives have even been linked to behavioural problems in children, allergic reactions and even cancer.

Additive Alert, Your Guide to Safer Shopping was published in 2004, and sold over
25,000 copies in its first year, confirming the demand by consumers for factual information about our food. It is one of the best selling references available on food additives in Australia, and has become a household shopping “bible” for thousands of consumers around the country.



Details of the seminar :

When: Tuesday 5th May between 7-9pm. Please come early to register.
Where: The Church of Christ, cnr Murray & McNabb Sts, Como.
Costs: $10

This exciting and informative public seminar is not to be missed and bookings are essential.
Please ensure that you book early to secure your seat.

Call Leanne on 9591 2636 or 0433 158 858
Email: leanne@organics4ever.com
Website: www.organics4ever.com