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New Health Canada Data on Bisphenol A (BPA) Strongly Supports Safety of Bottled-Water, Baby-Food and Infant-Formula Products

July 9, 2009

The following statement can be attributed to Steven G. Hentges, Ph.D. of the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group. Dr. Hentges’ comments are in regard to the recently released reports from Health Canada on its survey of bisphenol A (BPA) in bottled water, baby food, and infant formula products.

ARLINGTON, VA (July 9, 2009) —“Reports released today by Health Canada on research conducted by its scientists confirm that the levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in bottled water, baby food and infant formula are extremely low. These new government data confirm Health Canada’s previous conclusion that exposure to BPA through food packaging uses is not expected to pose a health risk to the general population, including newborns and young children.

“As noted by Health Canada, an adult would have to drink approximately 1,000 liters (or 264 gallons) of water from polycarbonate water cooler bottles every day to approach the science-based safe intake limit for BPA recently established in Canada.

“No BPA was detected in any of the canned powdered infant formula samples tested. The level of BPA found in baby food packaged in jars clearly indicates that exposure to BPA through consumption of these products is extremely low. Health Canada noted that the nutritional benefits of baby food products far outweigh any possible risk.

“Health Canada’s new data provides further support for recent assessments from eleven regulatory bodies around the world that determined BPA is safe for use in food contact products. These regulatory bodies include: the European Food Safety Authority, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Danish Environmental Protection Agency, French Food Safety Authority, Swiss Office for Public Health, and Food Standards Australia-New Zealand.

“Polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, both made from BPA, are widely used in food packaging to protect the safety and integrity of foods and beverages. Clear, shatter-resistant polycarbonate water cooler bottles are also lightweight and reusable over many cycles. Epoxy resin coatings prevent corrosion of metal cans and lids and contamination of foods and beverages. ACC and its member companies have long-supported research to advance scientific understanding about chemicals, and we are committed to providing the compounds and plastics integral to products that help protect public health and safety.”

Survey of Bisphenol A in Baby Food Products Prepackaged in Glass Jars
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/securit/bpa_survey-enquete-eng.php

Survey of Bisphenol A in Canned Powdered Infant Formula Products
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/securit/bpa_survey-enquete-pow-pou-eng.php

Survey of Bisphenol A in Bottled Water Products
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/packag-emball/bpa/bpa_survey-enquete-bot-bou-eng.php