Seguridad Alimentaria

FDA research may support BPA safety

Posted on 24 February 2014

The North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA) has reported that there is significant new evidence to support the safety of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA).

The new peer reviewed study, conducted by regulatory scientists at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was accepted for March publication in the journal Toxicological Sciences. The study also helps to debunk the urban myth that low doses of BPA such as those that people might be exposed through food packaging can cause a variety of adverse health effects.

Conducted by 12 scientists with the FDA, and funded by FDA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the study fed BPA to pregnant rats throughout gestation and to the offspring pups for an additional 90 day period. The pups that were exposed to relevant doses showed no signs of health effects.

FDA officials, speaking to Environmental Health News, stated: “The study reported no effects of BPA at any dose, except at the very highest levels, and is consistent with the FDA’s current position that BPA is safe at the very low amounts that occur in some foods.”

Dr. John M. Rost, NAMPA chairman, added: “In yet another example of comprehensive research performed by experts at FDA, specifically to address concerns about health effects from low exposures to BPA, this latest work reinforces BPA’s safety.

“What these scientists found should hopefully dispel the myth that BPA causes obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other health effects.”