Bisphenol A, also referred to as BPA, has received considerable media attention in recent years, with much coverage following the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s January 2010 statement regarding its progress evaluating the safety of BPA. While the FDA states that past studies on BPA have supported the safety of the current low-levels to which humans are exposed, they recently announced they have “some concern” about potential effects of BPA exposure on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and children, based on results from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) studies. The FDA is also providing $30 million in funding to further study BPA, its health effects and to clarify uncertainties about its risks.

What is Bisphenol A?

BPA is an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic or epoxy resins, which are used in food packaging materials such as the lining inside metal-based food and beverage cans, reusable plastic containers for food and beverages, baby bottles, and tableware.  Polycarbonate and epoxy resins are also used in other everyday consumer products – cell phones, computers, household appliances, bicycle helmets and flooring. For over 40 years, it has been used in consumer products, and FDA regulates its use in food packaging materials.

How is BPA used?

BPA is used in packaging materials for a variety of purposes.  It is used to prevent the corrosion of cans and, when used as an epoxy coating it prevents contamination of foods. When it is used in bottles it can increase their heat resistance and durability.  It is important to remember that packaging serves an important food safety vehicle in protecting foods from pathogens or other contaminants.

Who is at risk from exposure to BPA?

Based on FDA’s recent statement, the primary population of “some concern” is fetuses and pregnant women, infants and children.  This population is potentially sensitive to BPA exposure because their bodies are still developing, and their hepatic system, which allows the body to detoxify and eliminate such substances as BPA, is immature. 
The FDA does support reasonable, precautionary steps to reduce human exposure to BPA. For infants and newborns specifically, the agency does not recommend that families change their use of infant formula or foods because benefits from a stable source of good nutrition outweigh any potential risk from BPA exposure.

What is the FDA doing to ensure public health related to BPA?

The FDA’s recent statement serves as an update of their evaluation of Bisphenol A.  The agency, along with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is supporting health studies to further evaluate and better determine the potential health effects of BPA exposure.  This includes $30 million in studies through the NIH.  Results from this research are expected in 18 to 24 months. 

In the meantime, the FDA is taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply. 

• “The FDA supports the (food) industry’s actions to stop producing baby bottles and infant feeding cups that contain BPA for the US market and its efforts to replace or minimize BPA levels in food can linings.
• The FDA supports the industry’s efforts to develop and use alternatives to BPA.
• The FDA supports a more modern regulatory framework for new food contact substances and will explore options to regulate BPA under this framework.
• The FDA will open a public docket for comment related to the science surrounding BPA, which will contain relevant scientific documents and other relevant materials.”

What steps can be taken to reduce exposure to BPA for infants and newborns?

The FDA does support the following recommendations from HHS on how to reduce infant exposure to BPA.

• Discard worn or scratched plastic baby bottles, cups, or food containers.
• Do not put very hot liquid into products that contain BPA*.
• Check labels on bottles and food containers to ensure they are microwave and dishwasher safe before using them in that capacity.

*How can you tell if a product contains BPA?

Consumers can identify products that contain BPA by referring to the numbers in the triangle on the bottom of plastic containers.  These SPI Resin Identification Codes are used to identify from which type of plastic a product is made. Resin codes one through six identify particular resins while seven (7) includes all others, including those from BPA, and any combinations of the six.

The Society of the Plastics Industries, Inc (SPI) introduced this voluntary coding system in 1988. Since then many states have incorporated the system into their recycling efforts to let consumers know which types they can recycle at their local center. These numbers do not indicate the safety level of the product. They are merely meant to indicate what type of plastic the container is made of to help facilitate the recycling process.

The FDA will provide updates to the public on significant new information on BPA as it becomes available.

Related Information:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):  BPA Overview and Message for Consumers
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm064437.htm

National Toxicology Program Information on Bisphenol A 
http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/bisphenol.html

European Food Safety Authority Information on Bisphenol A 
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178620772817.htm

Health Canada Information on Bisphenol A
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/packag-emball/bpa/index-eng.php

Department of Health and Human Services: Bisphenol A (BPA) Information for Parents
http://www.hhs.gov/safety/bpa