Migration of bisphenol A from can coatings into food: Responses to consultation

Monday 17 September 2001

This consultation was carried out following a Food Standards Agency survey of bisphenols in canned food, because of the uncertainties that exist in the scientific understanding of potential endocrine effects of this substance.

The survey was reported in Food Surveillance Information Sheet no. 13/1. The consultation letter asked respondents to make it explicitly clear if they wished their response to be kept confidential. None of the replies included this request.

Please find the responses below. The Food Standards Agency has carefully considered the responses to this consultation. A few points of detail were raised and these are considered - attached below. There was extensive general comment from both industrialists and environmentalists. The Agency has the following views:

The Agency recognises that there are some scientific uncertainties surrounding the endocrine effects of bisphenol A and notes that these effects are being considered by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF). This review is currently in progress. In the meantime the Agency notes that:

• There is currently no suitable alternative substance to bisphenol A for use in can coatings. To prevent its use would restrict consumer choice and may, in the absence of suitable alternatives, lead to microbiological or other chemical contamination of canned food.
• Industry is taking action to reduce levels of bisphenol A in canned food to as low as possible and is investigating alternatives to this substance.

The Food Standards Agency is taking precautionary action by encouraging the European Commission to develop EU-wide controls on chemical migration from can coatings. An international approach is needed as many canned foods are imported. Indeed the European Commission have already recognised the need for action as they have recently introduced controls on the migration of BADGE, a substance related to bisphenol A.

The Agency accepts the advice of the independent, expert Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT). They were specifically asked to consider the possible endocrine effects of BPA. On present evidence, they concluded, the levels of bisphenol A identified in canned foods analysed in the Food Standards Agency¿s survey are unlikely to be of concern to health, and there is no reason for consumers to change their source of foodstuffs as a result of these findings.

The Food Standards Agency will review its position once the SCF has completed its assessment.