FDA Closes the Book on NRDC's Petition

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Mar 30, 2012, 04:05 ET

Confirms Again that BPA Is Safe for Use in Food Contact Materials

WASHINGTON, March 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced their decision to reject a petition from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in food-contact materials. In response to this decision, the following statement can be attributed to Steven G. Hentges, Ph.D., of the Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group of the American Chemistry Council.

"FDA's decision today, which has taken into consideration the best available science, again confirms that BPA is safe for use in food-contact materials, as it has been approved and used safely for four decades. FDA has closed the book on NRDC's 2008 petition and clearly resolved that there was no scientific evidence presented that would warrant any change in the food-contact applications of BPA.

"Consumers should understand from this announcement that the position of the independent, scientific experts at FDA is that BPA continues to be safe for use in food-contact materials. FDA is the U.S. agency that makes decisions about product safety related to food contact. FDA's scientific review is consistent with the consensus of major government agencies around the world, including the European Food Safety Authority, the Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. "

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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 $720 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