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Health effects of Bisphenol A

Chemical structure of bisphenol A(BPA).

Bisphenol A controversy centers on concerns and debates about the biomedical significance of bisphenol A (BPA), which is a precursor to polymers that are used in some consumer products, including some food containers. The concerns began with the hypothesis that BPA is an endocrine disruptor, i.e. it mimics endocrine hormones and thus has the unintended and possibly far-reaching effects on people in physical contact with the chemical.

Since 2008, several governments have investigated its safety, which prompted some retailers to withdraw polycarbonate products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ended its authorization of the use of BPA in baby bottles and infant formula packaging, based on market abandonment, not safety.[1] The European Union and Canada have banned BPA use in baby bottles.

The U.S. FDA states "BPA is safe at the current levels occurring in foods" based on extensive research, including two more studies issued by the agency in early 2014.[2] The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed new scientific information on BPA in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2015: EFSA's experts concluded on each occasion that they could not identify any new evidence which would lead them to revise their opinion that the known level of exposure to BPA is safe; however, the EFSA does recognize some uncertainties, and will continue to investigate them.[3]

In February 2016, France stated that it intends to propose BPA as a REACH Regulation candidate substance of very high concern (SVHC).[4] The European Chemicals Agency agreed to the proposal in June 2017.[5]

  1. ^ "FDA Regulations No Longer Authorize the Use of BPA in Infant Formula Packaging Based on Abandonment; Decision Not Based on Safety". Fda.gov. 12 July 2013. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  2. ^ "Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in Food Contact Application". FDA. 26 April 2019.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference efsa2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Current SVHC Intentions – Bisphenol A".
  5. ^ "MSC unanimously agrees that Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor". Retrieved 19 November 2017.[permanent dead link]