A new report on bisphenol A compiled by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for the European Commission concludes that the substance used as a feedstock polycarbonate and in epoxy resin-based can liners is not an endocrine disruptor.

The Commission had asked for the re-evaluation in response to the ongoing discussion about possible negative effects of the chemical on the human reproductive system.

The report also had been awaited with some anticipation as France previously has banned food contact packaging film with effect from January of this year. The French government, which has given plastics producers and converters until mid-2015 or the latest the beginning of 2016 to clear their inventories of products containing BPA, had been urged to await the EFSA conclusions before enforcing the ban.

It is not yet clear how France's position will stand up in the absence of an EU mandate.

In its report re-evaluation, the EFSA said that after "thoroughly consulting and engaging with national authorities and stakeholders to ensure that the widest possible range of scientific views and information were considered," it now believes that exposure "poses no health risk to consumers of any age group," either from diet or a combination of other external sources such as thermal paper.

While the food agency acknowledged that it had identified "likely adverse effects" on the liver and kidney as well as the mammary gland as being linked to BPA, it said it considered solely exposure at levels "hundreds of times above" the current tolerable daily intake (TDI) to be a threat.