Massachusetts Action Inconsistent With Worldwide Scientific Safety Assessments

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Mar 02, 2010, 06:56 ET

Regulatory Agencies Worldwide Support the Continued Safe Use of BPA in Food Contact Applications

ARLINGTON, Va., March 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement may be attributed to the American Chemistry Council's (ACC) Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group:

"The action requested today by the Massachusetts governor to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to impose a limited restriction on products made with bisphenol A (BPA) is inconsistent with worldwide scientific assessments. While we welcome considered scientific debate, this action is unwarranted, given the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) ongoing review, not justified based on the science, and will not improve public health. A better approach that would not waste limited public resources or further confuse consumers would be to allow the U.S. regulatory agencies charged with -- and undertaking -- comprehensive reviews of BPA to complete their work.

"ACC supports the FDA's ongoing review of BPA, and believes decisions about regulating consumer products most appropriately belong at the federal level. In its statements in January of 2010, the FDA reiterated that BPA is not proven to harm children or adults, but the agency called for more research to address potential health questions resulting from recent, novel scientific studies. FDA officials stated that if they thought BPA was unsafe, they would be taking strong regulatory action.

"It is important to allow the federal government's regulatory authorities to make science-based decisions, and not to create patchwork state restrictions when it comes to consumer products.

"Decisions regarding the safety of food-packaging materials should be based on the best available information and solid scientific evaluation. Regulatory bodies around the world have assessed the science on BPA and have determined that it is safe for use in food-contact products."

www.americanchemistry.com

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 $664 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.

SOURCE American Chemistry Council