European Union member states have approved a draft ban on bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic organic compound that is a common component of reusable plastic food containers and food packaging.
The substance has been controversial for years, and was banned in baby bottles in 2011. Several EU member states, including Austria and France, already have full bans in place.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Environment Agency (EEA) have claimed that the substance interferes with the endocrine system—potentially causing fertility, growth, and metabolic problems—as well as the immune system. It is also capable of migrating, in small amounts, from the plastic to the food in the container—leading to its human consumption.
The agencies have been lowering the recommended intake of the substance over years of investigation. According to the latest findings, published in April 2023, the current recommended intake of 0.2 nanograms per kilogram (ng/kg) of body weight had “potential harmful effects on the immune system.”
The proposal, put forward by the EU Commission, also follows a public consultation launched in February.
“This prohibition will mainly apply to the use of bisphenol-A in packaging, such as the coating used in metal cans. The use of bisphenol-A will also be prohibited in consumer items such as reusable plastic bottles for beverages, water distribution refrigerators, or other kitchen items,” the Commission detailed in a statement.
The ban includes an 18-month transition period for implementation after it goes into force.
Consumers have become increasingly concerned about bisphenol-A, with many brands already offering BPA-free products.
