 News
28th July 2008
EU won't ban BPA from baby bottlesCalls to
ban baby bottles made with a chemical linked to early puberty, breast cancer,
miscarriage and infertility have been rejected by EU watchdogs. The European
Food Safety Authority(EFSA) has angered campaigners by rejecting a raft of research
highlighting health risks caused by Bisphenol A(BPA). In April, the Canadian
government banned the sale of baby bottles containing the chemical, leading some
stores in the US to take them off shelves. At the same time, the National
Childbirth Trust in the UK called on manufacturers to put warning labels on the
bottles. However, EFSA has decided that the dose of BPA consumed by a baby
using a bottle is so low that it does not pose any health risk. Concerns
about the effect of the chemical were raised after changes to the bodies of rats
were identified in trials. However, EFSA says the human body reacts differently.
EFSA said: "People are exposed to BPA which may be present in food
through its use in certain food contact materials such as baby bottles and cans." It
said its expert panel has concluded that 'after exposure to BPA the human body
rapidly metabolises and eliminates the substance. This represents an important
metabolic difference compared with rats'. The EFSA experts said that they
felt there was no need to call for a ban on change the advice given to parents.
However, the watchdog said it would continue to monitor any new science
on the chemical. Friends of Earth condemned the ruling saying there are
more than 180 studies showing the adverse effects of low dose exposure of BPA.
It said the chemical has proven links to infertility and breast and prostate
cancer, to thyroid malfunction, attention deficit disorder and recurrent miscarriage.
One recent study even suggested a link to obesity. Chemical campaigner
at Friends of the Earth Europe, David Azoulay, said: "EFSA has again ignored
overwhelming scientific evidence. "A panel which lacks the necessary
expertise and impartiality is saying it knows better than specialists on the substance
who are calling for a precautionary approach. "This decision leaves
consumers at risk and again highlights the grave flaws of European health and
safety assessments for food and chemicals in contact with food, and the need for
a complete review of this system." Where to next?
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