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Baby’s bottles and bisphenol A

May 2008

What is BPA?

Bisphenol A (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?

To date, the available scientific data (which includes lifetime feeding studies in animals) indicates that 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’ because it does show a weak hormonal effect. 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?

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently completed a review of the scientific literature for BPA and determined a maximum daily ‘safe limit’ for BPA. They concluded that the estimated total daily intake of BPA by a bottle-fed baby would be less than 10% of the ‘safe level’ for babies, when the bottles were cleaned using normal domestic conditions, and about 20% of the ‘safe limit’, when the bottles were cleaned under exaggerated conditions including the use of boiling water or strong solvents. In adults, the estimated daily intake from canned foods and beverages would be about 5% of the ‘safe limit’. NZFSA and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) agree with the risk assessment conducted by EFSA. The recently released review from Health Canada also concluded that levels of exposure were below those that pose a risk. However, both NZFSA and FSANZ will also continue to examine other reviews from regulatory agencies.

How is food packaging regulated?

FSANZ regulates food packaging materials through Standard 1.4.3 – Articles and Materials in Contact with Food. Standard 1.4.3 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 New Zealand Food Act makes reference to food packaging issues in Section 9(4)(c) which states that “No person shall prepare or pack for sale, or sell any food in any package, or any package intended to contain food, if that package is made wholly or partly of a material that may render the food injurious to health or that may taint the food”.

What has prompted the Canadian government to seek public comment on its proposed ban of BPA?

The Canadians are not considering new information. The issue has been under consideration for some years and the recent US and Canadian reports simply draw together the research. Both the Canadian and EFSA reviews conclude that human exposures are below those that give rise to effects. EFSA concluded that there was no need to take any action to change approvals for the use of bisphenol A in the production of food containers. However, the Canadian Ministers for Health and Environment have decided to propose a Bill that would ban the use of this chemical in the production of baby bottles and put restrictions on its use in the linings of cans. This proposal is out for public comment for 60 days and a decision would then be made as to whether to progress it or not. NZFSA notes that the Canadians own media release states, “The scientists concluded in this assessment that bisphenol A exposure to newborns and infants is below levels that may pose a risk, however the gap between exposure and effect is not large enough.”

The US report from the National Toxicology Programe concluded that there is “some concern regarding neural and behavioural effects in foetuses, infants and children at current exposures, and some concern in these populations based on effects in the prostate gland, mammary gland and an earlier age for puberty in females.” The term ‘some’ is one step stronger than the term ‘minimal’ and does not signal high concern.

NZFSA believes that the evidence for health effects is not strong and does not support precipitate action at this time. We are maintaining a very close watch on developments in case new data comes forward that changes this conclusion. To date, only Canada is proposing any action.

What is NZFSA’s advice?

NZFSA has information on its website about safe feeding of infants. NZFSA does not believe that parents and caregivers who use polycarbonate baby bottles following manufacturers’ instructions are placing infants at risk. However, parents who are concerned could use glass bottles instead.

Look up safe feeding of infants

Related links

Bisphenol A in New Zealand food ESR Annual Report, 2004. [PDF 422 KB, 56 pages]

Bispehnol A. Fact sheet, 2008. [Food Standards Australia New Zealand]

Bisphenol A (BPA) [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]

Bisphenol A. [European Food Safety Authority]

Bisphenol A. [Government of Canada]

Q & As: Bisphenol A. [National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences]