European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Reconfirms Safe Use of Bisphenol A in Food Contact Products

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Sep 30, 2010, 01:34 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Chemistry Council (ACC) issued the following statement today in response to a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announcement about consumers and the safety of bisphenol A (BPA):

"For the third time since 2007, and as a result of a comprehensive review of more than 800 recent studies, EFSA has again confirmed that bisphenol A (BPA) is safe for use in products that come in contact with food," said Steven G. Hentges, Ph.D., of the American Chemistry Council.

"Consumers around the world can be reassured that EFSA's intense scientific scrutiny continues to reaffirm the safety of BPA in food contact applications, and again concludes that established safe intake levels for BPA provide a sufficient margin of safety for protection of consumers, including for infants and young children," Hentges said.

About the EFSA Review

The ACC noted that this European review is consistent with many other regulatory agencies from around the world that have also reviewed the science of BPA, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In this most recent assessment, the EFSA's panel of expert scientists critically analyzed relevant scientific information on BPA, including numerous studies that examined low doses of BPA. EFSA also consulted with national experts from across Europe, as well as several international risk assessment authorities, including FDA and Health Canada. The Panel's conclusions stated: "they could not identify any new evidence which would lead them to revise the current Tolerable Daily Intake for BPA of 0.05 mg/kg body weight set by EFSA in its 2006 opinion and re-confirmed in its 2008 opinion." Recent studies from the U.S. CDC and Health Canada have shown that typical human exposure to BPA, from all sources, is more than 1,000 times lower than this safe intake level.

The full statement from EFSA can be reviewed at: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/cef100930.htm

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The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $674 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.

SOURCE American Chemistry Council