Germany's Federal Institute For Risk Assessment (BfR) Joins FDA, Others, In Affirming Safety Of Bisphenol A

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry;  Public Health
Article Date: 23 Sep 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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Worldwide support for bisphenol A (BPA) as used in food and beverage packaging continues to grow even in the face of new research purporting to show evidence of risk from such uses. In the wake of the release of two new studies claiming BPA adverse effects, yet another major governmental agency has weighed in, joining the ranks of those supporting the safety of the chemical.

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) -- the German governmental equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -- evaluated the two newest BPA studies to determine if the new findings require an adjustment to the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.5 milligrams BPA per kilogram body weight per day. After fully considering the data contained in both studies, the BfR determined the studies provide no valid basis for any change to the present risk assessment for BPA.

"This is yet another significant rejection of the rising chorus of criticism over the safety of BPA," said Dr. John M. Rost, Chairman of the North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc. (NAMPA). "Americans need to realize that not only FDA, but every government entity that has reviewed the full body of scientific evidence has reached the same conclusion that BPA is safe in its current use as a food contact material in epoxy resins. This BfR conclusion has added weight because it was reached without the media furor that clouds so much of the current U.S. debate."

In reaching its conclusion, the German Institute stated that new research findings will be continuously assessed by the BfR and considered in its risk assessment. This latest determination by the German BfR is consistent not only with the finding of the FDA, but also the European Food Safety Authority and the Japanese government. All have recently completed comprehensive draft risk assessments on BPA and determined based on the comprehensive science that BPA as currently used in food and beverage packaging is safe.

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