On 25 April, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has decided to review its previous advice on safe levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging and provide updates on its deliberations. This decision follows new assessments from Canada and the US (the draft U.S. National Toxicology Program brief on bisphenol A and the Environment Canada draft screening assessment report and the Risk Management scope document). Health Canada is expected to publish its health risk assessment of BPA from food packaging applications soon.

In January 2007 the EFSA published its own risk assessment on BPA, in which it established a full tolerable daily intake of 0.05 milligram/kg body weight.Following its review, EFSA will decide whether or not it needs to reconsider its advice on the chemical.

BPA is a chemical used in certain packaging materials such as the rigid plastic polycarbonate. It is also used in epoxy-phenolic resins for internal protective linings for cans and metal lids, as well as in coatings for storage tanks. However concerns have arisen over BPA since it has been found to migrate in small amounts into foods and beverages stored in the materials.

Some recent animal studies have indicated that high levels of BPA could be carcinogenic.

Sick Plastic, Sick People? The Science and Policy of Bisphenol A: May CHE partnership call

If you want to know more about the science and policy of bisphenol A, you can download background documents and the MP3 recording of the May 7th partnership call of the Collaborative on Health and Environment.
 More information on the CHE partnership call

UK’s leading charity for parents calls for a clear labelling on baby bottles and action on bisphenol A

In a press release published on 6 May, the National Childbirth Trust, a UK-based charity for parents, endorsed the anti-bisphenol A (BPA) stance. It calls for a clear labelling of baby bottles as BPA is widely present in plastic baby bottles and represents a significant risk for baby’s health with long-term effects.

NCT insists on the need for a clear labelling of products that are in contact with baby’s mouth. NCT also sells BPA-free baby bottles.

For more information:
  Read NCT press release
  Access their Sales webpage
  Access NCT website