It is only in Kenya that water and beverage manufacturers deliberately avoid use of clear water and beverage bottles thereby exposing consumers to chemical and specifically to hide visibility of sedimentation.
The question of water bottles and sun exposure focuses on the presence of a chemical in plastics called bisphenol A, or BPA. According to experts, research with mice has shown a link between exposure and adverse effects in brain and reproductive organ development.
While most plastic water bottles don’t contain BPA, polycarbonate water bottles do contain this chemical.
In 2012, the U.S Food and Drug Administration rejected a petition by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to ban BPA, based on current research. However, the NRDC is investigating the next steps it can take change this ruling.
Since BPA exposure remains questionable, we urge Kenyan consumers to only buy water, juices and other beverages in clear bottles without BPA.
As a general precaution, we urge manufacturers and consumers to keep water and other beverage bottles out of the sun, preferably in a cool place, to keep temperatures lower and prevent the release of BPA from the bottles that contain it.
Finally, we urge the Kenya Bureau of Standards to enforce the requirement that all water and beverage bottles remains clear and that those with blue and other colours be removed from the market.
