| The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reversed its position on the safety of Bisphenol A, (BPA) a chemical found in plastic bottles, food containers and thousands of consumer goods, saying it now has concerns about health risks. Many baby bottle manufacturers have already banned its use.
The FDA says that growing scientific evidence has linked the chemical to a host of problems, including cancer, sexual dysfunction and heart disease. It is particularly concerned about BPA's effect on the development of foetuses, infants and young children.
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The FDA said:
‘Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that has been present in many hard plastic bottles and metal-based food and beverage cans since the 1960s.
‘Studies employing standardized toxicity tests have thus far supported the safety of current low levels of human exposure to BPA However, on the basis of results from recent studies using novel approaches to test for subtle effects, both the National Toxicology Program at the National Institutes of Health and FDA have some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children. In cooperation with the National Toxicology Program, FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research is carrying out in-depth studies to answer key questions and clarify uncertainties about the risks of BPA.
‘In the interim:
FDA is taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply. These steps include:
supporting the industry’s actions to stop producing BPA-containing baby bottles and infant feeding cups for the U.S. market;
facilitating the development of alternatives to BPA for the linings of infant formula cans; and
supporting efforts to replace BPA or minimize BPA levels in other food can linings.
FDA is supporting a shift to a more robust regulatory framework for oversight of BPA.
FDA is seeking further public comment and external input on the science surrounding BPA.
FDA is also supporting recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services for infant feeding and food preparation to reduce exposure to BPA.
FDA is not recommending that families change the use of infant formula or foods, as the benefit of a stable source of good nutrition outweighs the potential risk from BPA exposure.’
The link to the FDA statement can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm197739.htm
The ADA issued a statement in late 2008 before this latest FDA announcement says:
‘BPA can become part of dental composites or sealants in three ways: as a direct ingredient, as a by-product of other ingredients in dental composites or sealants that may have degraded, and as a trace material left-over from the manufacture of other ingredients used in dental composites or sealants.
‘This year (2008) the FDA released the following statement, “Based on our ongoing review, we believe there is a large body of evidence that indicates that FDA-regulated products containing BPA currently on the market are safe and that exposure levels to BPA from food contact materials, including for infants and children, are below those that may cause health effects. However, we will continue to consider new research and information as they become available.” Based on this conclusion, the FDA does not require testing of dental materials for BPA at this time.
‘Based on current research the Association agrees with the authoritative government agencies that the low-level of BPA exposure that may result from dental sealants and composites poses no known health threat.’
In the light of the FDA’s new position the ADA may reconsider its statement. This can be found at: http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/bisphenola.asp |
