Researchers at the Environmental Working Group, a research agency based in Washington, reveal that potentially carcinogenic chemical bisphenol A is in the lining of most cans of liquid baby formula and often leaches into the liquid at what they say are dangerous levels for babies.

"Because they eat so much relative to their small size, their exposure is intense. We can't use endocrine-disrupting chemicals in a baby's first food. The formula companies need to take action," said Sonya Lunder, lead researcher on BPA for the EWG.

Companies like Similac, Enfamil and Nestle acknowledge the presence of BPA in their products, but they assure parents they are still safe and in normal limits, so they should not worry about it.

"It's a neurotoxin, meaning it can damage the developing brain, which scientists are still doing a lot of research about. The research does indicate that there are concerns with it," said Bill Walker who represents the EWG in response.

Haley Stevens, PhD., a researcher for the International Formula Council told ABC7 that the science does not support the fears about BPA, which is usually studied on mice.

"It is well established that humans metabolize and excrete BPA much faster than animals. Therefore, the results can not be extrapolated to humans," he said.

Chemists from The Food and Drug Administration have also analyzed the formula and found no evidence of BPA harming young children in small doses. It says that infants would have to ingest over 7,000 times more formula than they do in a day to do any harm. Therefore, the health agency does not plan any ban or limitations on the use of BPA in formula cans.

While the FDA says the chemical is safe for humans, more than 100 independent studies have shown that BPA taken in small dozes can cause developmental problems, cancer, obesity and early puberty.

Scientists say it will take many years of research until they can fully understand the way BPA affects the babies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is taking the findings very seriously, but admits there is not enough evidence to take action.

“We don't have any data in humans so we don't know what's worrisome and what's not,” said Ari Brown of the AAP.

Mothers who are still concerned about the chemical, have other options like powdered or liquid formula, instead of cans, or buy BPA-free bottles. The only option, which poses no problem and appears to be the healthiest, is breastfeeding and mothers are encouraged to feed their babies as much as possible that way. In fact, recent studies have shown that breastfeeding keeps babies healthy and with less chances to develop further diseases as they grow older.