CANBERRA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The consumer group Choice on Monday urged the Australian food industry to phase out plastics containing potentially harmful chemicals.

    It said there is an urgent need to label products such as cling wrap and baby products that may contain the chemical bisphenol A.

    "PVC (an amorphous plastic) is used to make the gaskets that seal glass jars used for foods such as pasta sauces," Choice spokesman Christopher Zinn said.

    "There are safer alternatives, which should be used instead.

    "There is vigorous debate about the various risks. Choice believes the evidence, while far from conclusive, can no longer beignored."

    Many retailers still use PVC cling wrap to package meat and other produce, Choice noted.

    Concerned consumers should avoid food packaging and baby products with the voluntary identification code three (for PVC) and seven (a catch-all category that includes polycarbonate and plastics that can't be easily identified).