FDA Denies Petition to Ban BPA, Ignoring Scientific Evidence
2016-01-25
FDA Denies Petition to Ban BPA, Ignoring Scientific Evidence
Just two weeks after a review of 800 studies determined that bisphenol A (BPA) and other endocrine-disruptors are extremely unsafe — even in small doses — the FDA denied a petition to ban BPA from use in our food and beverage containers.
The petition to ban BPA was filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council in 2008. After being ignored by the FDA for three years, the non-profit was forced filed a lawsuit in 2011, demanding the FDA acknowledge their petition and consider a ban on the toxic hormone-disrupting chemical.
In the letter of denial, the government agency stated that the evidence presented was “not sufficient to persuade the FDA” that prohibiting the use of BPA in food containers is necessary.
Senior scientist in the public health program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sarah Janssen, PhD, said, “BPA is a toxic chemical that has no place in our food supply.” She went on to say, “the [FDA] has failed to protect our health and safety — in the face of scientific studies that continue to raise disturbing questions about the long-term effects of BPA exposures, especially in fetuses, babies and young children.”
Other organizations that have called for stronger regulations or an outright ban on BPA include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Medical Association, according to Rodale.
FDA spokesman Douglas Karas said, “The FDA denied the NRDC petition today because it did not provide the scientific evidence needed to change current regulations, but this announcement is not a final safety determination and the FDA continues to support research examining the safety of BPA.”
Is there hope yet?
The FDA’s decision to deny the NRDC’s petition for a ban on BPA may not influence the potential of petitions filed by Massachusetts governor, Ed Markey earlier this year. In March, Markey filed three petitions to ban BPA on the grounds of a loophole presented by Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 Sec. 171.130 which states that people can petition for changes or repeals to food additive rules if “new uses have been developed or old uses abandoned.”
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