No evidence to ban Bisphenol A, says WHO

Posted by Josette Dunn on 12th November 2010

An international panel of 30 World Health Organisation (WHO) experts has found there is no scientific evidence indicating that Bisphenol A (BPA) should be banned from food products as a public health measure.The leading WHO experts concluded on November 10 that BPA was mostly “eliminated” and doesn’t accumulate in the body. The WHO panel, who met in Canada, also said that introducing public health measures – such as a ban on BPA – would be “premature”.

These findings back up the position of Australia’s $102 billion food and grocery manufacturing industry, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) said today.

The outcome was also in line with a new BPA study by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) – released last Wednesday – which concluded that there were no health risks to consumers from consuming packaged food and beverages.

AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said the FSANZ study also showed levels of exposure to BPA in Australian diets were within safety limits.

“There’s little definitive scientific evidence internationally and in Australia that has shown any dangers to humans from BPA in canned food products or bottles,” Ms Carnell said.

“Products containing BPA have been subject to significant, rigorous investigations by leading world authorities and, in recent years, food regulators in the United States, UK and the EU have examined the latest findings and determined that the use of BPA continues to be safe.

“Industry will continue to monitor this important issue.”