The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is proposing to drastically reduce the tolerable daily intake of bisphenol A. The chemical – widely used in plastic items and the linings of canned food cans – poses risks to the immune system. The new opinion is open for public consultation until 8.2.22.
Bisphenol A, where it is found
Bisphenol A (BPA) is ubiquitous. It has been used to make plastics for 50 years and is a component of polycarbonates, epoxy resins, polyesters and other polyvinyl chlorides.
It is used to make food and non-food containers, paints (epoxy-based), medical devices, dental sealants, surface coatings, printing inks, and flame retardants, for example.
The sources of exposure
Human exposure occurs through the diet, due to migration of particles from food contact materials and objects (MOCAs) and subsequent contamination of food and beverages. As well as through accidental inhalation/ ingestion of household dust.
Thermal paper receipts are another very frequent source of contact.
Repeated and unheeded alarms
Evidence about health hazards related to bisphenol A exposure has been repeated for years. In France, the substance is considered an endocrine disruptor and has already been banned since July 2015.
In the same year, EFSA-for the second and final time, after the one in 2006-assessed the risk by setting a temporary TDI(tolerable daily intake) of 4 micrograms per kg of body weight per day.
The latest opinion on bisphenol A
In the current draft re-evaluation of BPA, published on 12/15/21, the EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) set a TDI of 0.04 nanograms per kg body weight per day.
The drastic reduction in TDI stems from the evaluation of scientific studies published between 2013 and 2018, particularly those indicating negative effects of BPA on the immune system.
‘In animal studies, an increase in the number of “T-helper” cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in cellular immune mechanisms, has been observed and, if increased, can lead to the development of allergic lung inflammation‘ (EFSA).
ISS studies in the new EFSA opinion
‘The new TDI is based primarily on evidence of adverse effects on immune function. Comparing the new TDI with estimates of consumer exposure to dietary BPA, EFSA concludes that individuals with both medium and high exposure to BPA in all age groups exceed the new TDI, indicating health problems’, explains Alberto Mantovani, a toxicologist and research executive at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS).
‘When the opinion is finalized, I will aspect important regulatory consequences. The search for safer BPA substitutes should already begin.
I am pleased to add that together with colleagues at the National Institute of Health we have advocated a more rigorous and cautious assessment of this widespread substance (and pollutant). Some of our studies are cited in the draft opinion‘.
Next steps
The draft EFSA opinion is now open for everyone’s input, until 8.2.22, at this link.
The EFSA panel and the expert group dealing with GAP will present the work to interested social partners at a scheduled technical meeting on 24.1.22.
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
