Scientists Are Calling on FDA to Remove BPAs From Food Packaging

Key TakeawaysOn January 27, 2022, the Environmental Defense Fund submitted a petition to the FDA to reconsider the removal or restriction of BPAs in materials that come into contact with foodResearch shows that BPA is associated with fertility issues, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.Currently, there is no federal regulation of BPAs in materials that come into contact with food.

Key Takeaways

On January 27, 2022, the Environmental Defense Fund submitted a petition to the FDA to reconsider the removal or restriction of BPAs in materials that come into contact with foodResearch shows that BPA is associated with fertility issues, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.Currently, there is no federal regulation of BPAs in materials that come into contact with food.

On January 27, 2022, several health and environmental organizations submitted apetitionto the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calling for the removal or restriction of bisphenol-A, commonly known as BPAs, in food packaging.

A coalition of scientists, physicians, and environmentalists are calling for BPAs removal due to potential health risks. Research shows that when consumed, BPAs are metabolized in the liver, and due to their structure, interact with endocrine receptors in the body.

“Exposure to BPAs has been shown to interfere with how certain hormones function, such as estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, and others,” Kristamarie Collman, MD, a Florida-based board-certified family medicine physician, told Verywell. “Additionally, they have been associated with fertility issues, cancer, and even cardiovascular disease.”

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Carrie Lam, MD, medical director of Lam Clinic Integrative Medicine, also noted BPA exposure during pregnancy has led to negative health consequences. “Low-level BPA exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy may affect the development of the area of the brain associated with fear, obesity, early puberty, and impulse control,” Lam said. Research also shows that BPAs have affected brain development in pregnant mice.

By limiting BPA exposure, the coalition wrote that it would “allow the immune system to more successfully respond to exposure to human pathogens in or on food.”

Where is BPA found?

So how do we typically come into contact with BPA? The chemical is found in common household products, including:

The coalition is asking the FDA to modify their current policies on BPA in products that come into contact with food, such as adhesives used in food packaging.

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The organization has also asked the FDA to consider the removal of additional chemicals like:

These chemicals have been found in tableware.And can also lead to potential negative health outcomes.

Current Restrictions on BPAs

Much of the current BPA restrictions are enforced on the state level, according to Amy Shah, MD, a double board-certified medical doctor based in Phoenix, Arizona.

What This Means For YouYou can learn more about BPAs at theNational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

What This Means For You

You can learn more about BPAs at theNational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

How Can You Avoid BPAs?

Because BPAs are commonly found in plastic, Lam recommends limiting exposure to products encased in plastic and canned foods. Additionally, “be aware of the label, BPA-free doesn’t necessarily mean BPS (bisphenol S) free,” Lam said. That’s because BPA-free products can still contain bisphenol S, a substitute for BPA.

Shah also recommended researching the companies you buy food and consumer goods from to determine whether they have banned BPAs and substitutes altogether.

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From what is known about BPAs, scientists and physicians agree that BPA exposure is associated with a wide range of negative health conditions.The FDA is continuing to review ongoing scientific evidence about BPAs and whether they are safe.But for now, you should try to avoid them if you can.

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Environmental Defense Fund.Groups petition FDA to restrict bisphenol A in food packaging.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Bisphenol A (BPA).Prins GS, Patisaul HB, Belcher SM, Vandenberg LN.CLARITY‐BPA academic laboratory studies identify consistent low‐dose bisphenol A effects on multiple organ systems.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019;125(S3):14-31. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13125Konieczna A, Rutkowska A, Rachoń D.Health risk of exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA). Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2015;66(1):5-11.Palanza P, Gioiosa L, vom Saal FS, Parmigiani S.Effects of developmental exposure to bisphenol A on brain and behavior in mice. Environ Res. 2008;108(2):150-157. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2008.07.023National Toxicology Program; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.CLARITY BPA Program.Gao CJ, Kannan K.Phthalates, bisphenols, parabens, and triclocarban in feminine hygiene products from the United States and their implications for human exposure.Environment International. 2020;136:105465. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2020.105465Wu CF, Hsieh TJ, Chen BH, Liu CC, Wu MT.A crossover study of noodle soup consumption in melamine bowls and total melamine excretion in urine. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(4):317-319. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.1569U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in food contact application.Rochester JR, Bolden AL.Bisphenol S and F: A systematic review and comparison of the hormonal activity of bisphenol A substitutes.Environmental Health Perspectives. 2015;123(7):643-650. doi:10.1289/ehp.1408989

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Environmental Defense Fund.Groups petition FDA to restrict bisphenol A in food packaging.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Bisphenol A (BPA).Prins GS, Patisaul HB, Belcher SM, Vandenberg LN.CLARITY‐BPA academic laboratory studies identify consistent low‐dose bisphenol A effects on multiple organ systems.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019;125(S3):14-31. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13125Konieczna A, Rutkowska A, Rachoń D.Health risk of exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA). Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2015;66(1):5-11.Palanza P, Gioiosa L, vom Saal FS, Parmigiani S.Effects of developmental exposure to bisphenol A on brain and behavior in mice. Environ Res. 2008;108(2):150-157. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2008.07.023National Toxicology Program; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.CLARITY BPA Program.Gao CJ, Kannan K.Phthalates, bisphenols, parabens, and triclocarban in feminine hygiene products from the United States and their implications for human exposure.Environment International. 2020;136:105465. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2020.105465Wu CF, Hsieh TJ, Chen BH, Liu CC, Wu MT.A crossover study of noodle soup consumption in melamine bowls and total melamine excretion in urine. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(4):317-319. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.1569U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in food contact application.Rochester JR, Bolden AL.Bisphenol S and F: A systematic review and comparison of the hormonal activity of bisphenol A substitutes.Environmental Health Perspectives. 2015;123(7):643-650. doi:10.1289/ehp.1408989

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Environmental Defense Fund.Groups petition FDA to restrict bisphenol A in food packaging.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Bisphenol A (BPA).Prins GS, Patisaul HB, Belcher SM, Vandenberg LN.CLARITY‐BPA academic laboratory studies identify consistent low‐dose bisphenol A effects on multiple organ systems.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019;125(S3):14-31. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13125Konieczna A, Rutkowska A, Rachoń D.Health risk of exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA). Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2015;66(1):5-11.Palanza P, Gioiosa L, vom Saal FS, Parmigiani S.Effects of developmental exposure to bisphenol A on brain and behavior in mice. Environ Res. 2008;108(2):150-157. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2008.07.023National Toxicology Program; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.CLARITY BPA Program.Gao CJ, Kannan K.Phthalates, bisphenols, parabens, and triclocarban in feminine hygiene products from the United States and their implications for human exposure.Environment International. 2020;136:105465. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2020.105465Wu CF, Hsieh TJ, Chen BH, Liu CC, Wu MT.A crossover study of noodle soup consumption in melamine bowls and total melamine excretion in urine. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(4):317-319. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.1569U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in food contact application.Rochester JR, Bolden AL.Bisphenol S and F: A systematic review and comparison of the hormonal activity of bisphenol A substitutes.Environmental Health Perspectives. 2015;123(7):643-650. doi:10.1289/ehp.1408989

Environmental Defense Fund.Groups petition FDA to restrict bisphenol A in food packaging.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Bisphenol A (BPA).

Prins GS, Patisaul HB, Belcher SM, Vandenberg LN.CLARITY‐BPA academic laboratory studies identify consistent low‐dose bisphenol A effects on multiple organ systems.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019;125(S3):14-31. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13125

Konieczna A, Rutkowska A, Rachoń D.Health risk of exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA). Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2015;66(1):5-11.

Palanza P, Gioiosa L, vom Saal FS, Parmigiani S.Effects of developmental exposure to bisphenol A on brain and behavior in mice. Environ Res. 2008;108(2):150-157. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2008.07.023

National Toxicology Program; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.CLARITY BPA Program.

Gao CJ, Kannan K.Phthalates, bisphenols, parabens, and triclocarban in feminine hygiene products from the United States and their implications for human exposure.Environment International. 2020;136:105465. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2020.105465

Wu CF, Hsieh TJ, Chen BH, Liu CC, Wu MT.A crossover study of noodle soup consumption in melamine bowls and total melamine excretion in urine. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(4):317-319. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.1569

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in food contact application.

Rochester JR, Bolden AL.Bisphenol S and F: A systematic review and comparison of the hormonal activity of bisphenol A substitutes.Environmental Health Perspectives. 2015;123(7):643-650. doi:10.1289/ehp.1408989

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