Midway through a public consultation on bisphenol A (BPA), the European Food Safety Agency said on 17 Jan. it has identified "likely adverse effects" of the chemical on the liver and kidney as well as the mammary gland. However, it believes the risk is manageable.

Pending conclusion of farther-reaching studies by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) on the starting material for polycarbonate and epoxy resins, the food watchdog has recommended that the current tolerable daily intake (TDI) be lowered from 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day to five micrograms. 

Up to now, EFSA's findings have closely concurred with the position of the international plastics industry. In its latest communication, the agency said BPA poses a low health risk to all segments of the population, as the highest estimates for combined oral and non-oral exposure are three to five times lower than the proposed temporary TDI. Taking oral exposure separately, it said the risk is more than five times lower.

Starting in 2012, EFSA's Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) panel began a full re-evaluation of health risks stemming from exposure to BPA through dietary and non-dietary sources such as thermal paper and dust, in the process reviewing 450 international studies.

Commenting on the EFSA statement, the BPA and epoxy resins groups in the European plastics producers association PlasticsEurope (Brussels) said the agency "has clearly confirmed that BPA is not a concern for human health, including newborns and young children, adding that this view is consistent with findings of other regulatory agencies. In March 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration said that BPA is safe at the very low levels that occur in some foods.