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About the Company
Avent, one of the largest bottle companies in the U.S. both in terms of reach and earnings, was purchased by Dutch company Royal Philips Electronics, a "global leader in healthcare, lifestyle and technology," in mid-2006. Philips companies have a combined total of nearly 100,000 employees operating in 100 countries. Its Domestic Appliances and Personal Care division, of which infant feeding products are but one branch, has more than sixty individual national sales organizations worldwide.
Dale Wytiaz, Avent America's Vice President of Sales for North America, currently serves on the board of directors of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, which has maintained an aggressive stance in favor of polycarbonate plastic in public statements made as recently as February 2008. Avent is also listed as a member of the Coalition for Consumer Choice, a pro-BPA group which promotes anti-regulatory messages on behalf of major toy, feeding product, and trade organizations.
Philips public relations spokesperson Shannon Jenest expressed surprise in November 2007 when we confronted her with the company's listing as a supporter of the Coalition for Consumer Choice, and stated then on behalf of her company that "Philips/Avent as an organization is in no way actively involved in the Coalition for Consumer Choice." Since then she has maintained that no relationship exists and told ZRecs that Avent's legal team has requested that the company be removed from the organization's list of supporters.
Avent has released a new "high-tech" version of their Isis breast pump with polycarbonate breast shields. The company has begun rolling out a line of BPA-free bottles, which should be complete by October 2008.
BPA-Free Products
Bottles: BPA-Free Bottle
Pumping Supplies: Isis Via Breast Pump Kit (disposable system)
Pacifiers: None
Feeding Aids: Powder Formula Dispenser and Snack Cup
Cups: Magic Trainer Cup, Magic Super Sport Cup
Other: Microwave Steam Sterilizer (included bottles are not BPA-free), Electronic Steam Sterlizer (included bottles are not BPA-free)
Products Containing BPA
Bottles: Natural Feeding Bottle (aka "Airflex"), Tempo Natural Feeding Nurser (liners are polyethylene, bottle polycarbonate)
Pumping Supplies: Isis iQ Twin Electronic Breast Pump, Isis iQ Single Electronic Breast Pump, Isis Manual Breast Pump
Pacifiers: Avent Translucent Pacifiers, Avent Freeflow Pacifiers, Avent Newborn Nighttime Pacifier, Avent Fashion Pacifiers, Latex Toddler Nighttime Pacifier, Avent Silicone Pacifiers
Feeding Aids: None
Cups: None
Reviews
Magic Cup
Materials: Polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer, siliconeContact
Design: A no-frills plastic sippy cup with a removable handle ring.
Price: $9 for two
Dishwasher safe? Yes
Observations: What can we say? It's ugly, it's cheap, and it gets the job done. The Magic Cup first failed our side-rest leak test with flying colors, but then we realized we had screwed on the lid incorrectly and managed to seal it tight but off its threading. It passed a retest but we are newly aware of its persnickitiness.
Ratings: Ease of Use and Care: 7. Durability: 9. Eye Appeal: 2. Total points: 18/30.
Phone: 800-542-8368
Website: www.philips.com/avent
Last Update: 5/1/2008
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