FDA: Update on Bisphenol A for Use in Food Contact

The FDA has released an "Update on Bisphenol A for Use in Food Contact" released this month (January 2010). Here's the FDA’s Current Perspective on BPA:

At this interim stage, 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, behavior, 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. These uncertainties relate to issues such as the routes of exposure employed, the lack of consistency among some of the measured endpoints or results between studies, the relevance of some animal models to human health, differences in the metabolism (and detoxification) of and responses to BPA both at different ages and in different species, and limited or absent dose response information for some studies.

Here are the interim public health recommendations as they relate to infants: 


FDA is supporting the industry’s actions to stop producing BPA-containing bottles and infant feeding cups for the U.S. market. FDA understands that over the past year, the major manufacturers of these products have stopped selling new BPA-containing bottles and infant feeding cups for the U.S. market. Glass and polypropylene bottles and plastic disposable “bag” liners have long been alternatives to polycarbonate nursing bottles. 

FDA is facilitating the development of alternatives to BPA for the linings of infant formula cans.  FDA has already noted increased interest on the part of infant formula manufacturers to explore alternatives to BPA-containing can linings, and has received notifications for alternative packaging.  The agency is supporting efforts to develop and use alternatives by (1) working with manufacturers regarding the regulatory status and safety of alternative liners; (2) giving technical assistance to those wishing to prepare applications for approval of alternatives; and (3) expeditiously reviewing any such new applications for alternatives. Because reliable can lining materials are a critical factor in ensuring the quality of heat processed liquid infant formula, safe replacement of such materials requires not only that they both be safe for food contact but also allow for processing that is fully functional in protecting the safety and quality of the infant formula itself.

You can read the full report here.

Water bottles and BPA

I spent the day at the beach today and our family took our ice chest out there so that we could have snacks and drinks on such a hot day. As I was filling up our water bottles, I started thinking about the whole issue regarding BPA (Bisphenol A) again. You see, I have some water bottles that I've had for many years. Naturally, they are made up of Type 7 plastic (the "catch all") and hence, they contain BPA.

Plastic types 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 do not contain BPA. Many of the newer water bottles are not made of Type 7 plastic (although if you buy a generic water bottle made in China, then it's probably still Type 7). You'll even see new water bottles advertised as "BPA free." What I often wonder is, "OK, so let's say it's free of BPA. How do we know that it simply doesn't contain a different chemical that may also be toxic (or potentially more toxic) to the human body?"

The FDA is currently exploring the public health implications associated with BPA exposure. I doubt we'll hear anything conclusive anytime soon. Perhaps someday in the future, we'll realize that all types of plastic were hazardous to our health. Perhaps we'll go back to traditional glass and metal containers.

Chicago is Banning BPA Baby Bottles

According to this story on MSNBC, Chicago is the first U.S. city to ban baby bottles and sippy cups that are made with plastic that contain BPA. What exactly is BPA? Well, BPA, or bisphenol A, is used to harden plastic. Is it toxic? The FDA has indicated that they are still researching the answer to that question. Here's the latest snippet from the FDA:

"Based on our ongoing review, we believe there is a large body of evidence that indicates that FDA-regulated products containing BPA currently on the market are safe and that exposure levels to BPA from food contact materials, including for infants and children, are below those that may cause health effects. However, we will continue to consider new research and information as they become available."

Image source: Babble.com