Two more nations have gone on record in affirming the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) and stating their concurrence with the findings of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), an independent statutory agency responsible for setting food standards in the two countries, issued an unequivocal statement that BPA does not cause cancer nor do low levels of exposure to BPA pose a significant health risk.

Dr. John M. Rost, Chairman of the North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc. (NAMPA), welcomed this latest affirmation of BPA's safety and urged legislators in Congress and in key states where legislation to restrict the substance is under consideration to pay careful attention to the news.

"Once again an international regulatory authority, that is specifically charged with assessing the safety of food for its residents, has reviewed the full body of scientific evidence and reached the conclusion that low exposure to BPA does not represent a health risk," said Dr. Rost. "This is critically important information that must not be overlooked."

In its March 2009 fact sheet on BPA, FSANZ references recent reviews conducted by EFSA and by the FDA in reaching its conclusion, noting that estimated daily exposures of BPA in both reviews were found to be well within the "safe limits" for both children and adults. FSANZ stated that it has assessed the risk to infants from exposure to BPA and "concurred with the conclusions reached by the US FDA and the EFSA that the levels of exposure are very low and do not pose a significant health risk."

About NAMPA

The North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc. and its members support sound science and trust the scientific review process that has protected our food supply for decades.

North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc.
http://www.metal-pack.org