Both China and Malaysia have now banned the use of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound that is used to make plastic products.
At a press conference, the Chinese ministry said that BPA could “disturb human metabolism, affect babies' immune systems and even induce cancer”.
Because they're smaller and slower to metabolize, children are particularly at risk.
The countries joined the entire European Union and Canada in banning the chemical from being used in baby bottles. Canada has gone a step further and labeled it a "toxic substance".
But the United States has yet to take any congressional action, despite an FDA report expressing concerns about BPA use:
The FDA shares the perspective of the National Toxicology Program that recent studies provide reason for some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children.
Yet a provision to limit the use of BPA in children's products was squashed from last year's food safety bill...
According to the bill's sponsor, Senator Diane Feinstein, intense lobbying pressures are to blame.
The industry has been lobbying for years to avoid this type of legislation. 
In one backroom meeting, pro-industry groups including the American Chemistry Council and the Grocery Manufacturers Association joined with heavyweights Coca-Cola and Del Monte to brainstorm on how to kill such legislation — not with scientific evidence, but with scare tactics.
Attendees suggested fear mongering slogans like: “Do you want to have access to baby food anymore?”
And because they couldn't find any credible scientists to take up their cause, they noted that their “holy grail” spokesperson would be a “pregnant young mother who would be willing to speak around the country about the benefits of BPA.”
Their efforts paid off when the provision was removed before passage of the food safety bill.
"I don't understand how a chemical group would oppose taking a chemical (out of products) which, at the very least, may impact the endocrine systems of infants because they want to make money on it," Feinstein said.
Lawmakers in Oregon are now trying to implement a BPA ban in baby bottles and sippy cups. If the ban passes, a full ban would go into effect next year and BPA baby products will be pulled from shelves.
"What we're trying to do is make sure we lead the way," said Sen. Jackie Dingfelder, D-Portland.
"It should be done at the national level, and since it's not being done at the national level it's incumbent on us to make sure we're protecting public health."
You can urge your state to follow Oregon's example here.
Because if China — the land of melamine baby formula, poison dog food, and toys coated in lead paint — has recognized the dangers of BPA, isn't it time for the United States to do the same?
As a father to be, there is no way I'm taking the chance.
I'm not buying a baby bottle without a big "BPA FREE" sticker on it.
Be Well,
Jimmy
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