The European Union has officially banned Bisphenol A (BPA) from all materials that come into contact with food. This regulation, which took effect on January 20, aims to minimise exposure to the harmful endocrine disruptor commonly found in everyday items like cans, food containers, and water bottles.
Comprehensive Ban on BPA in Manufacturing
The new EU rules prohibit the use of BPA in the production of various materials that might come into contact with food. This includes plastics, rubbers, glues, ion exchange resins, varnishes, coatings, printing inks, and silicone. The ban addresses a significant source of BPA exposure for consumers and represents a major step toward improving public health.
“Bisphenol A has been classified as a substance of very high concern under REACH (the EU’s chemical safety legislation) since 2006 for its reproductive toxicity,” explained Sandra Jen, Head of the Health and Chemicals Programme at HEAL (Health and Environment Alliance). “In 2017, its endocrine-disrupting effects on human health were formally recognised. It is linked to serious health issues, including breast cancer, neurobehavioural disorders, and diabetes.”
Slow but Significant Progress in Regulation
The move follows the 2023 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion, which found that dietary exposure to BPA poses a health risk to consumers of all ages. The EU previously banned BPA in baby bottles in 2011, but extending the prohibition to all food-contact materials has been a lengthy process.
“Scientists and health advocates have called for this ban for over a decade,” noted Jen. “The European Environment Agency highlighted the risks of BPA more than ten years ago. This decision is long overdue, but it marks significant progress in safeguarding public health.”
Calls to Extend the Ban to Other Products
The Health and Environment Alliance has urged the EU to expand the ban to other consumer products, such as toys, where BPA exposure remains a concern. The organisation hopes that follow-up measures will be implemented swiftly to address BPA in a broader range of products.
By taking decisive action against BPA, the EU sets a precedent for stricter regulation of harmful chemicals, advancing both consumer safety and environmental health.