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Safety of Sigg Water Bottles

With all the concern about Bisphenol A---a chemical that is an endocrine disruptor---leaching into drinking water from plastic water bottles, consumers frequently turn to aluminum and stainless steel bottles to tote their thirst quencher in. However, even a metal bottle isn't always 100 percent safe. SIGG, the Swiss manufacturer of the most popular aluminum bottles on the market, admitted in the fall of 2009 that the liner of their bottle actually did contain the chemical culprit.

  1. What is Bisphenol A?

    • BPA is used in manufacturing of many lightweight plastics.

      Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an industrial chemical used when manufacturing polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, and other plastic products. It was originally verified as safe by the Food and Drug Administration, which has since recanted and acknowledged that BPA might adversely affect the brain and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and young children. Everything from baby bottles to the lining of cans used for food could contain BPA, which can leach out into the water, formula or food and be ingested. The jury is out while the FDA awaits more tests.

    Do all SIGG Bottles Contain BPA?

    • SIGG originally marketed their aluminum bottles as using a BPA-free liner. From water bottles to baby bottles, consumers were paying steep prices to replace their plastic vessels with the new, safer SIGG models. However, in 2009, SIGG sent out a press release that any SIGG bottle manufactured after August 2008 was actually BPA-free. They admitted that the vinyl liners previously used had trace amounts of BPA.

    How are the Bottles Manufactured Now?

    • SIGG claims that the bottles are now made with a BPA-free liner. To tell if your SIGG bottle has an old or new liner, look inside. The new liners are a light golden yellow, and the old liners are a dark golden bronze. SIGG was offering replacement bottles until October 2009.

    Are they Safe?

    • Whether or not SIGG bottles are completely safe now remains to be seen. They claimed six years ago that their bottles were BPA-free, and they're claiming it again. The public's trust was definitely shaken by SIGG's admission.

    What are Other Options?

    • Buy a pure stainless steel water bottle with BPA-free caps and nozzles. There are several BPA-free plastic (and less expensive) products on the market. Another option is to carry coffee, tea or water in a glass canning jar. It may not look cool, but it gets the job done.

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