The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Washington, released a statement regarding safe levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) in human food. The agency cites new studies that warrant concern about current standards.
From the FDA:
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that has been present in many hard plastic bottles and metal-based food and beverage cans since the 1960s.
Studies employing standardized toxicity tests have thus far supported the safety of current low levels of human exposure to BPA. However, on the basis of results from recent studies using novel approaches to test for subtle effects, both the National Toxicology Program at the National Institutes of Health and the FDA have some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children. In cooperation with the National Toxicology Program, the FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research is carrying out in-depth studies to answer key questions and clarify uncertainties about the risks of BPA.
In the interim:
The FDA is taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply. These steps include:
o supporting the industry’s actions to stop producing BPA-containing baby bottles and infant feeding cups for the U.S. market;
o facilitating the development of alternatives to BPA for the linings of infant formula cans; and
o supporting efforts to replace BPA or minimize BPA levels in other food can linings.
The FDA is supporting a shift to a more robust regulatory framework for oversight of BPA.
The FDA is seeking further public comment and external input on the science surrounding BPA.
The FDA is also supporting recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services for infant feeding and food preparation to reduce exposure to BPA.
The FDA is not recommending that families change the use of infant formula or foods, as the benefit of a stable source of good nutrition outweighs the potential risk from BPA exposure.
