Bisphenol A (BPA) and food packaging
19 January 2010
Introduction
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has worked closely over the last few years with other Government agencies and food regulators overseas to look into any possible risks from the plastic Bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and food packaging. We keep a close eye on issues relating to the migration of chemicals from packaging and into food, and are aware of a number of reports claiming that chemicals in plastic containers may contaminate the food or liquid inside.
Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) announced a review of the safety of BPA in baby bottles and food packaging. However, these products will remain on the market in the United States and the USFDA 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.
FSANZ has assessed the studies that led to the USFDA decision to undertake a review and further research, and our view remains that BPA in baby bottles and food packaging in Australia and New Zealand is still safe. For example our dietary modelling shows that a 5 kg baby would need to drink around 80 bottles of formula a day every day for many years before it would get up to the safety limit.
However, given recent developments in the United States, we are working with other regulators and the food industry to review these developments and to re-examine BPA levels in Australia and New Zealand.
What is BPA?
BPA is an industrial chemical used as the starting material for the production of polycarbonate plastics and synthetic resins. BPA is found in items or containers that come into contact with foodstuffs such as drinking vessels, baby bottles, plastic tableware and the internal coating on tins for tinned-food. In some circumstances, chemicals in food packaging can migrate into the food product, and vice versa, depending on the nature of the packaging and the food contained within.
What are the health effects of BPA?
Bisphenol A does not cause cancer. BPA belongs to a group of substances which can act in a similar way to some hormones and, as such, are sometimes called ‘endocrine disruptors’. Some studies in laboratory animals suggest that low levels of (consumed) BPA may have an effect on the reproductive system. Similar consequences in consumers at these low concentrations are considered unlikely because BPA is rapidly inactivated and then excreted in the urine.
Are very low levels of BPA in food of a concern?
FSANZ has evaluated the safety of BPA and plasticisers in food, including that consumed by infants from baby bottles and concluded that levels of intake of BPA or plasticisers are very low and do not pose a risk t o public health for any age group. For example, a 5 kg baby would need to consume around 80 large (240 mL) baby bottles full of infant formula a day, every day over a lifetime, before reaching the daily safety limit for Bisphenol A of 50 micrograms/kilogram bodyweight per day. This would be around fifteen to twenty times more than a baby would eat.
However, FSANZ is liaising closely with national and international regulators and Australian industry on this issue in order to assess the new evidence and exposure levels in Australia.
Is there anything I can do as a consumer?
Regulators around the world have concluded that exposure to low levels of BPA is safe.
However, when using baby bottles, always follow the instructions on the infant formula for preparation and use. The following advice applies to all baby bottles or cups, whatever type of plastic they are made from:
- Discard any scratched bottles or feeding cups as they may harbour germs
- Do not put boiling or very hot water, infant formula, or other liquids into bottles while preparing them for your child
- Before mixing water with powdered infant formula, boil the water and cool it to lukewarm
- Always remember: do not heat baby bottles of any kind in the microwave – the liquid may heat unevenly and burn your baby
- Sterilize and clean bottles according to instructions on infant formula labels and they should be left to cool to room temperature before adding infant formula.
How are these chemicals regulated in Australia?
The regulation of chemicals in plastic articles for food use, including baby bottles, is a shared responsibility of several Australian Government regulatory agencies: FSANZ for the food sold in plastic containers; the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) for the safety of the industrial chemicals used; and the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) for the safety of the plastic articles themselves.
Together, these agencies are assessing the overall safety findings on BPA and plasticisers, and adopting a co-operative approach to address any issues arising in the future.
FSANZ regulates food packaging materials through Standard 1.4.3 of the Food Standard Code, which deals with food contact materials in general terms, and does not specify individual packaging materials for food contact or how they should be produced or used. However, with respect to plastic packaging products, the standard refers to the Australian Standard for Plastic Materials for Food Contact Use, AS 2070-1999. This Standard provides a guide to industry about the production of plastic materials for food contact use. AS 2070, in turn, refers to regulations of the United States and European Economic Community directives relevant to the manufacture and use of plastics. In addition, the various Australian state and territory Food Acts make reference to food packaging issues.
Standard 1.4.1 – Contaminants and Natural Toxicants of the Food Standard Code regulates the levels of these substances that can be present in food from any source, including as a result of contact with food packaging materials. Even if a specific contaminant or toxicant is not listed in the standards, it sets out an expectation that all other contaminants and toxicants be kept to levels as low as reasonably achievable.
In the event that a public health and safety issue arose in relation to food packaging materials, including chemical constituents, FSANZ would undertake an assessment of the risk on a case by case basis.
The ACCC monitors the safety of consumer products (including identifying and assessing emerging hazards), investigates complaints about unsafe or hazardous goods, maintains a register of safety-related product recalls and monitors the effectiveness of these recalls. The ACCC’s role in relation to chemical concerns generally is to assess the risk of chemical problems resulting from chemicals in consumer products and then to take appropriate action.
The ACCC would not ordinarily be involved in food issues or in the packaging of food, but the ACCC’s responsibilities do include consumer goods that may come in contact with food, such as baby bottles and cookware. The ACCC is aware of the concerns raised about BPA, and is currently liaising with other appropriate regulatory agencies on this issue. The ACCC is also closely monitoring relevant scientific studies which assess the safety of this, and other chemicals.
NICNAS assesses industrial chemicals that are new to Australia for their health and environmental effects prior to their use. NICNAS also assesses those chemicals that are already in use in Australia (existing chemicals) on a priority basis, in response to specific concerns about potential health and/or environmental effects.