- Print Friendly - Help

Response to BWS magazine on wine screw caps

22 July 2008

The Editor

BWS Magazine

Auckland

Dear Editor,

The article on screw caps in the July issue of BWS contained an error.

The article stated ''...that screw caps leach endocrine disruptors into wine. These highly active chemicals are implicated in everything from cancer to birth defects and impotence, all of which are increasing in Western nations''.

It is incorrect to claim that chemicals in screw caps are highly active endocrine disruptors. The chemicals in the caps that could have some endocrine disruption activity are poor hormone mimickers, which means that they do not interfere with the endocrine system. This is supported by accepted scientific evidence, which shows that there is no potential for endocrine system disruption due to drinking wine that is sealed with screw caps. This is why screw caps are permitted for use as bottle closures all over the world.

Yours sincerely

John Reeve
Principal Adviser (Toxicology)
Science Group
NZ Food Safety Authority