Health assessment of Bisphenol A in foods

The chemical substance bisphenol A is contained in many plastic products, including baby bottles. On the international level, many scientific studies have been conducted on its effects on human health. They partly reach contradictory results. BfR, too, has commented on bisphenol A.

Bisphenol A: Scientific assessment by EFSA confirms  BfR assessment

The risk assessment for the industrial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) has been the subject matter of controversial scientific discussions throughout the world for years. Scientists of the CEF Panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have once more assessed BPA under health aspects in a comprehensive expert report published in September 2010. Apart from a detailed evaluation of the comprehensive up-to-date scientific literature, a new study was reviewed on developmental neurotoxicity of BPA, which includes very low dosages.

The Panel advocates the maintenance of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for BPA of 0.05 mg per kg body weight per day. A member of the Panel was of the minority opinion that health concerns might be derived from some of the studies and submitted a proposal to designate the TDI value of 0.05 mg per kg body weight per day as provisional; this opinion was not, however, adopted.

EFSA and BfR will continue to monitor and assess new scientific findings and assessments concerning BPA in order to safeguard consumer health. The scientific assessment by EFSA now published confirms the previous expert assessment by BfR.