Statement

ACC Statement: FDA Science Board Bisphenol A Meeting
October 31, 2008

ARLINGTON, VA– Today, Steven G. Hentges, Ph.D., on behalf of the American Chemistry Council, delivered remarks at the Food and Drug Administration’s Science Board meeting concerning the report by the Bisphenol A Subcommittee on the FDA’s draft assessment of bisphenol A.

“The Science Board is receiving many diverse viewpoints on bisphenol A.  But the common ground we all share is a commitment to do what’s right to protect the health and safety of American consumers -- adults and children alike,” Hentges said. 

Hentges called the FDA’s draft assessment, “consistent with the conclusions of other scientific and government bodies worldwide, such as the European Food Safety Authority, Health Canada, the European Union, and NSF International, all of which completed or updated their assessments this year.  We rely on their conclusions, which are that polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins are safe for use in food contact applications.”

With regard to the BPA Subcommittee report, Hentges said that although “the report provides thoughtful recommendations that may help FDA to further improve the quality of its assessment,” he cautioned that it “states certain conclusions…that do not appear to be based on a sound and thorough scientific analysis” and are not supported by the “limited and inconclusive evidence” provided. 

With the understanding that infant exposure is the major focus of the subcommittee report, earlier this week leading BPA manufacturers committed to put processes in place to promptly phase out the use of materials containing BPA in some of these products if the agency determines there is a need to widen the existing margins of safety.

Learn more about bisphenol A at http://www.bisphenol-A.org.