The evidence the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used to assess the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) in consumer products is inadequate, according to a panel of independent advisers.
The evidence the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used to assess the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) in consumer products is inadequate, according to a panel of independent advisers.
As reported by Reuters, the panel claimed that the FDA did not take into account government and university studies that questioned the safety of BPA when the agency released a draft assessment in September. In the assessment, the FDA defended the position it took in May by stating that, based on the evidence it evaluated, the exposure to BPA in products such as baby bottles is safe. The FDA did add that there are ways consumers can limit their exposure to BPA.
The advisory panel urged the FDA to consider studies conducted after the September assessment was made. The FDA is scheduled to hold a meeting on Friday, October 31, to discuss the panel's findings.
Earlier this month, the Canadian government announced that it will ban the importation, sale, and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles that contain BPA, making Canada the first country to do so.
Canada stated that it will also take action to limit the amount of BPA that is being released into the environment. Earlier this year, Canadian health officials proposed to ban baby bottles with BPA due to health risk concerns for newborn and infants.