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Plastic baby bottles should carry clear labelling about the materials used to make them, the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) has said in response to concerns over the effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) on babies.

Its call comes as a number of retailers in Canada and the US, including Wal-Mart, have committed to withdrawing bottles with BPA, and are producing BPA-free ranges.

BPA is a monomer used in polycarbonates and epoxy resins used, for example, in bottles and food can linings. In animal experiments, it has been shown to interfere with growth and body functions.

Although the actual impact on humans in uncertain, the NCT is concerned about the lack of awareness of the potential risk.

NCT chief executive Belinda Phipps said: "It is important that bottles, and any items that might reach a baby's mouth, are labelled in a standard and easy to understand way."

Bottles are less likely to leak BPA at room temperature, but repeated cleaning and warm contents could increase the possibility of a leak.