FDA to Undertake Further Research on BPA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it has no plans to review its stance on bisphenol A (BPA), but will continue to research the chemical found in food packaging.

BPA is used in certain packaging materials such as polycarbonates for baby food bottles. It is also used in epoxy resins for internal protective linings for canned food and metal lids.

A recent study by a team of UK researchers found that higher concentrations of the chemical in urine were linked with heart disease, type 2 diabetes and liver enzyme abnormalities.

And, in September, scientists from the US National Toxicology Programme said that effects on reproductive development from BPA in packaging cannot be ruled out.

The FDA, in a letter to independent scientific reviewers, said that it is re-evaluating available data, and planning to source additional information so as to strengthen the exposure estimates from all dietary sources of BPA, particularly those relevant to infants and children.

The letter was the first response to criticism of the FDA by its own advisory board last month which maintained that the food safety regulator ignored evidence suggesting BPA in baby bottles and formula cans could be damaging to children.

The review of the Science Board's subcommittee concluded that the margins of safety in the FDA’s draft assessment on BPA in regard to the risks of infant exposure to the chemical were “inadequate.”

Source: FoodProductionDaily.com