Bisphenol A (BPA)

These plastics containing BPA can be used in drinking vessels, baby bottles, dental fillings and as linings inside food and drink cans. These are widely used and have important functions, for example, the lining in cans ensures sealing and prevents corrosion, improving food safety.

There has been concern internationally and locally over the potential damage to health from exposure to BPA.

As plastics containing BPA are used widely as packaging for food and drink, there is some concern that BPA could migrate into the food or drink that it touches. BPA has sometimes been called an ‘endocrine disruptor’, meaning it can act in a similar way to some hormones, in particular estrogen. Some laboratory studies have reported that changes in the level of estrogen in the body may play a role in the development of cancers, tumours and developmental and hormonal changes in humans.

There have been a large number of studies examining the effect of BPA in the body, but the results are conflicting. This lack of clear-cut evidence is why government agencies have spent so much time reviewing the science around BPA. The studies have used different methods (for example, varying animal species, doses, measuring effects on many parts of the body) which makes it hard to compare, and to repeat these studies to prove that the effect they report is signficant and relevant for humans at the current exposure levels.

 

Food Standards Australia New Zealand recently updated their position on BPA. “FSANZ is very aware of and sensitive to the public concerns about the potential adverse health effects of exposure to Bisphenol A, but remains of the opinion that there is no health risk for consumers, including infants, as ongoing testing has revealed that BPA may only be found at extremely low levels in polycarbonate plastic baby bottles and in infant formula.  This view on risk is also shared by other international food regulators in Canada, the United States and Europe.”

The complete fact sheet is available on the FSANZ website.

 

NZ manufacturers are voluntarily phasing out the use of BPA in baby bottles. The Food and Grocery Council states: “The voluntary phase out of the use of BPA in baby bottles during the last few years is in response to consumer preference and demand. This is not an issue about product safety.”

 

Government agencies around the world are currently assessing the science around BPA as the issue becomes more visible, political and emotional in the public arena.

 

In Europe and the US, the regulatory stance on BPA is unchanged.

 

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said in September 2010, that there is no new evidence to suggest the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for BPA needs to be changed as it reconfirmed that current levels of exposure pose no threat to human health, and would be maintaining the TDI, reaffirming EFSA's two previou opinions on the substance in recent years.

 

In the US, the FDA shares the perspective of the National Toxicology Program that recent studies provide reason for some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behaviour, and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children.  FDA also recognizes substantial uncertainties with respect to the overall interpretation of these studies and their potential implications for human health effects of BPA exposure. 

 

 

France and Denmark have temporarily banned bisphenol A in polycarbonate baby bottles, US manufacturers are working with the FDA on this area, while Australian manufactures have committed to the same voluntary action as the NZ FGC members above.

 

 

 

NZ Herald - Crunch time in Bisphenol-A debate.  15/9/2010

New York Times –  In feast of data on BPA plastic, no final answer 6/9/2010

The Australian: Are we getting a bad wrap?  18/9/2010

 

 

FSANZ Fact Sheet: Bisphenol A (BPA) and food packaging September 2010

IFIC Food Insight: Questions and Answers about Bisphenol-A (BPA) October 2010