Environmental health groups call for ban on BPA from all food applications

Jan 18 2010

Environmental Health Groups Laud FDA's Concern about BPA

Environmental health advocates responded to today's announcement that Food and Drug Administration concurs with the National Toxicology Program's assessment that bisphenol A is a chemical of concern. FDA posted tips for parents to minimize children's exposure, and announced further research.  BPA is a synthetic sex hormone linked to cancer, behavioral changes, reproductive harm, heart problems and other illnesses.  

Sarah Janssen, MD, PhD, staff scientist at Natural Resources Defense Council explains, "It's a small step in the right direction that FDA is working with other federal agencies to acknowledge the health concern, but we believe there is sufficient evidence about the health risks of BPA to support regulatory action now. We know that low dose exposure to BPA at critical stages of development is linked to health effects later in life."

Urvashi Rangan, PhD, toxicologist with Consumers Union, says, "Although food can linings is a relatively small use for BPA, it is a major source of exposure for most people and FDA needs to act as swiftly as possible to limit further exposure."

Mia Davis, BPA Coordinator for Clean Water Action says, "Major baby bottle manufacturers and retailers are already moving away from BPA, but it remains on store shelves in some bottles, sippy cups and in most canned goods.  We are all exposed to BPA and other hormone disruptors from a myriad of sources, and our government agencies should be acting in our best interest to eliminate these exposures."

Bobbi Chase Wilding of Clean New York, pregnant with her second child says, "FDA's announcement increases the concern for pregnant and nursing women, yet fails to protect us or our children.  By not taking definitive action,  FDA today put the burden back on overtaxed parents to seek safer products, rather than removing BPA-laced ones from the marketplace which would protect all of us."

"It's good that FDA registered concern about BPA and is advising parents to reduce children's exposure," said Janet Nudelman of the Breast Cancer Fund. "But the announcement doesn't go far enough. Congress needs to step in and pass the bill currently under consideration, which would ban BPA from all food applications."

SOURCE Environmental Health Fund