The latest study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, in the USA, has raised fresh debate over the regulation of Bisphenol A (BpA), a chemical compound often used as protective lining on the inside of cans containing food or beverages. The Harvard study’s findings were published on 22 November 2011, in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers say their study is one of the first to quantify BpA levels in humans after ingestion of canned foods. Exposure... ...Read more »

The health implications of caffeinated energy drinks, improvement of public awareness of the nutrition content of take away food and recent international developments and efforts made by Australian and New Zealand industry in phasing out the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) chemicals in baby bottles and food containers were among a range of food and beverage topics discussed at a meeting of the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council (Ministerial Council) held in Adelaide on Friday. The... ...Read more »

An international panel of 30 World Health Organisation (WHO) experts has found there is no scientific evidence indicating that Bisphenol A (BPA) should be banned from food products as a public health measure.The leading WHO experts concluded on November 10 that BPA was mostly “eliminated” and doesn’t accumulate in the body. The WHO panel, who met in Canada, also said that introducing public health measures – such as a ban on BPA – would be “premature”. These... ...Read more »

A US study has conducted an analysis of BPA levels in American food, revealing that almost two-thirds of foods tested contained traces of the chemical, but at levels 1000 times less than accepted limits. Researchers measured BPA levels in 105 human, cat, and dog foods from a variety of grocery stores around Dallas, Texas. They detected BPA in 63 of these samples. However, the levels were significantly lower than 50 micrograms per kg of body weight, the limit used by America’s EPA and the European... ...Read more »

Food regulators around the world have found no major health risks associated with the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging and closures, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) said yesterday.Responding to new research on BPA levels in foods and baby products by consumer group Choice, AFGC highlighted that the world’s leading food authorities, including Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), maintain that levels of exposure to BPA are safe and don’t pose a significant... ...Read more »

Laboratory tests by CHOICE of a range of popular canned foods including a number of baby food products has revealed concerning levels of the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA). Bisphenol A has been used for many years to make polycarbonate plastic and is found in epoxy resins which are used to line cans to prevent corrosion.  CHOICE tested 38 samples of canned foods commonly found on Australian supermarket shelves and found 29 contained BPA at levels some experts believe could be harmful. The findings add... ...Read more »

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mark Butler today announced the phase out by major retailers of baby bottles containing Bisphenol A (BPA).The voluntary phase out by the Wesfarmers group (Coles, K Mart and Target), and retailers Woolworths, Big W and Aldi is the result of months of constructive discussions between the Australian Government and retailers. The phase out will begin on July 1. “Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has evaluated the safety of BPA and plasticisers in baby... ...Read more »

The US Department of Health and Human Services has said further research is required into the potential health impact of using bisphenol-A in food packaging. According to an announcement on Friday (15 January), further study is required to track possible harmful effects of the chemical, although existing research does not demonstrate there is cause for concern over the potential impact of BPA on health. “Recent studies have reported subtle effects of low doses of BPA in laboratory animals.... ...Read more »

Australia food regulatory agency has given the all clear to the levels of BPA in food packaging as a leading consumer group urges manufacturers to phase out certain plastic food packaging. Consumer group Choice said earlier this week that they “believe the evidence, while far from conclusive, can no longer be ignored” when it comes to BPA contamination of food. However, FSANZ has advised that they are in agreement with European and US authorities – believing there is little risk... ...Read more »

Consumer group Choice is calling on the Australian food industry to phase out the use of certain plastics in baby products and food packaging. They have advised consumers to avoid PVC cling wrap, used for wrapping fresh meat and produce, and to consider cutting down on certain canned foods. Choice contends that, although the risk is low, there’s growing evidence that food can be contaminated by the use of certain types of plastics and cans and says consumers should be aware there are alternatives... ...Read more »