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manufacturers, importers and users of bisphenol a (bpa) should use alternative substances that pose less risk to human health and the environment, advises germany’s federal environment agency (uba). bpa is used mainly in polycarbonate baby bottles, infant sippy cups and the epoxy lining of food and drink cans. the german agency, in the release of a report on the chemical, said that despite uncertainties and gaps in knowledge concerning risk assessment and the level of exposure in relation to bpa, there is a need for action.

exposure to bisphenol a from canned food poses no health risk to the general population, health canada has said after conducting a survey into levels of the chemical in 78 products. however, the agency also pointed out that its results were “exploratory and should not be used to indicate the distribution of bpa in canned food products”. it added that its overall aim was to “ limit human exposure to bpa to the greatest extent possible” by working with the food packaging sector to find out how the chemical migrates into food o food.

the european food safety authority (efsa) has announced a delay in delivering its verdict on bisphenol a (bpa) because it needs more time to review the vast body of research on the chemical. the food safety watchdog said it would now present its opinion to the european commission (ec) in early july instead of at the end of this month, as previously scheduled. once that advice is delivered, it will be up to the ec to decide whether to implement a ban or not.

bisphenol a (bpa) is living on borrowed time. and not just in the united states but now in europe too where mounting consumer hostility and scientific concern over its safety have combined to push the chemical towards the point of no return. just a few months ago, it seemed the storm of anxiety surrounding bpa was a north american phenomenon, with canada and a bevy of us states introducing bans on the substance used in polycarbonate bottles and epoxy food can linings.

the publication of us government action plans on how to manage risks posed by a range of controversial substances, including phthalates, has drawn stinging criticism from the chemical industry. the environmental protection agency (epa) issued the first of its chemical action plans (caps) late last month following a pledge by its chief, lisa jackson, in september to overhaul the way potentially dangerous substances are scrutinised.

as the old year draws to a close, we review the significant waypoints of 2009 and look ahead to what is likely to dominate next year’s news. join us now for a whistle-stop tour of the news topics that made the headlines on our flagship food and nutrition websites in europe and north america. foodnavigator.com foodnavigatorusa.com caroline scott-thomas europe: 2009 was the year when stevia sweeteners came to europe.

two united nations bodies are to convene an international meeting on the safety of bisphenol a (bpa) in food packaging over growing anxiety of the chemical’s possible threat to human health. the world health organisation (who) and the food and agriculture organisation (fao) said the meeting, to be held in canada in october 2010, was being organised in response to the general uncertainty over the safety of bpa.

a campaign to ban bisphenol a in the uk has been branded “misleading” by the uk plastics industry as it declared the chemical was safe for use in food packaging. the british plastics federation (bpf) said products containing the chemical have been safely used for over half a century. the body said it supported the uk food standards agency’s position, re-stated this week, that bpa poses no risk to human health and no further precautions are required for bpa-based food contact materials.

in its final evaluation of the chemical bisphenol a (bpa), the us national toxicology program (ntp) has expressed concerns for potential exposures to foetus, infants and children. the main conclusions of the ntp report include expression of ‘some concern’ over the potential for developmental toxicity for foetuses, infants, and children, based primarily on evidence from animal studies that would suggest that there might be effects on prostate gland and brain development, with also the potential for behavioural effects.