EFSA Declines to Revise BPA Exposure Limits

PARMA, ItalyThe European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released its scientific opinion on the safety of bisphenol-A (BPA) that concluded there is no convincing evidence for it to revise its current exposure limits. The panel also stated the data currently available do not provide convincing evidence of neurobehavioural toxicity of BPA.

This latest review of was initiated at the request of the European Commission, which asked EFSA to review recent scientific literature on the toxicity of BPA to assess whether the tolerable daily intake (TDI) should be updated, to assess a new study on possible neurodevelopmental effects (known as the Stump study) and to advise on the risk assessment carried out by Denmarks DTU Food Institute.

One member of the panel expressed a minority opinion, saying that some recent studies point to uncertainties regarding adverse health effects below the level used to determine the current TDI. That member agreed with the majority view that these studies could not be used to establish a lower TDI but asked that the current TDI should become a temporary TDI.

EFSA said the panel members acknowledge that some recent studies report adverse effects on animals exposed to BPA during development at doses well below those used to determine the current TDI. These effects include biochemical changes in the central nervous system, effects on the immune system and enhanced susceptibility to breast cancer. However, the studies have many shortcomings and their relevance for human health cannot be assessed. Should any new relevant data become available in the future the panel will reconsider this opinion.

Click here to read EFSAs full opinion.