Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in the diet is a health concern for consumers of all ages, EFSA scientific experts have found in a new re-evaluation. In an extensive review of the scientific evidence and after bringing in the public opinion, EFSA experts have identified potentially damaging effects on immune system health.
The European Commission and national authorities will discuss appropriate regulatory measures to comply with the EFSA recommendations.
BPA is a chemical used in conjunction with other chemicals to make certain plastics and resins.
BPA is used, for example, in polycarbonate, a clear and rigid type of plastic used to make water dispensers, food storage containers and reusable beverage bottles. The substance is also used in the production of epoxy resins, which are found in the protective coatings and linings of food and beverage cans and vessels.
Chemicals such as BPA used in food containers can migrate in very small amounts into food and beverages. Therefore, EFSA scientists regularly review their safety, taking into account new data.
Huge data set
Dr Claude Lambré, Chair of the EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids, said: "Our scientists have studied the safety of BPA in great detail over the years, starting with our first full risk assessment of this substance in 2006 r .
“For the reassessment, we reviewed a huge number of scientific publications, including more than 800 new studies published since January 2013. This allowed us to address important concerns about toxicity BPA.”
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“In studies, we have seen an increase in the percentage of a type of white blood cell, called T-helper, in the spleen. They play a key role in our cellular immune mechanisms, and their increase can lead to the development of allergic pneumonia and autoimmune disorders,” he said.
The panel also considered other potentially harmful reproductive, developmental and metabolic health effects that were identified in the risk assessment.
“Our findings are the result of an intensive evaluation process that took several years and which we finalized based on data collected during a two-month public consultation launched in December 2021.” said Dr. Henk Van Loveren.
Lower threshold consumption
Compared to the previous assessment in 2015, the panel of EFSA experts has significantly reduced tolerated daily download (TDI) BPA, which is the amount that can be consumed daily for a lifetime without significant health risk.
This new reassessment addressed most of these gaps, and the remaining uncertainties were taken into account in setting the TDI.
EFSA scientists set the TDI at 0,2 nanograms (0,2 billionths of a gram) per kilogram of body weight per day, replacing the previous temporary level of 4 micrograms (4 millionths of a gram) per kilogram of body weight per day. The newly created TDI is about 20 times lower.
Exposure on BPA
Comparing the new TDI with estimates dietary exposure to BPA , our experts concluded that consumers with medium to high BPA exposure across all age groups exceeded the new TDI, indicating health concerns.
While our expert panel used exposure estimates from their 2015 assessment, we acknowledge that post-2015 restrictions put in place by EU legislators on certain uses of the substance may have resulted in a reduction in intake of the substance.
Several variables can affect a person's overall health risk, including other stressors in the human body, genetics, and nutrition.
Common reports
In addition to the consultation on the draft scientific assessment, in 2017 EFSA conducted a public consultation on the protocol describing the proposed methodology.
Our scientists have also discussed the methodology and findings with other scientific bodies to explain and/or address emerging differences, such as the use of "intermediate endpoints" which are early signals indicating the potential development of adverse health effects.
In this context, we published joint reports summarizing discussions with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).
Such discussions with our partners and stakeholders help to further develop risk assessment methodologies. They are also used for our security assessments, taking into account the latest scientific knowledge and understanding of potential risks.
Next steps
EU decision-makers, i.e. the European Commission and representatives of the Member States, are responsible for setting limits on the amount of a chemical substance that can migrate from food packaging to food.
EFSA's scientific opinion on BPA will now form the basis of discussion among EU lawmakers. It will concern about the appropriate regulatory measures to be taken to consumer protection.
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Source: European Food Safety Authority
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