Voluntary Phase Out Of Bpa From Baby Products Supported By Plastics Industry

Plastic food packaging needs to be safe and free from any hint of contaminates for

it to pass the stringent safety standards that now exist throughout the developed world. These standards are designed to protect consumers, and also to give the suppliers of consumer food products some clear guidelines to follow when preparing their products for the market. Manufacturers use Bisphenol A or BPA as a type of lining to ensure that food contents do not come into contact with steel, so when concerns were raised that BPA showed in laboratory tests that it could have an affect on the reproductive system, standards authorities world-wide along with consumer groups and manufacturers acted quickly to phase out the use of BPA in products used by babies and children.

In terms of its use in plastic packaging for the general community, safe levels of BPA have been established at 0.05 mg per kilogram per body weight per day. This margin is known as the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) which translates to the amount of substance in food that can be taken per day without risking ones health. It is necessary to use BPA in some food packaging to prevent contamination and extend shelf life, so having a measurable TDI gives consumer's confidence in the products they are buying.

There have been no new studies that require the TDI to be revised and an international panel of experts established by the World Health Organization also found that BPA is not accumulated in the body and is quickly eliminated through passing of urine. However, consumer concerns continued through 2008 into 2010 in regard to the use of BPA in products being used by babies and young children. The Canadian Government responded to these concerns by declaring BPA a toxic substance under their environmental protection legislation, and this action prompted other governments, including those of Australia and New Zealand, to commence a voluntary phasing out of BPA in plastic baby bottles, purely in response to consumer demand.

So far, there are no indications that the usage of BPA in plastic bags poses health hazards to members of the community. In fact, Food Standards Australia New Zealand conducted an analytical survey of BPA levels in food and drinks in Australia, including foods packaged in polycarbonate plastics, steel cans with epoxy lining and glass jars with metal lids. This survey showed that only a small number of samples contained BPA in negligible quantities. BPA is the subject of ongoing research, both here in Australia and overseas, and the FSANZ constantly monitor the situation to see if any changes are needed to the TDI. We consumers are assured that our food packaging are always safe.

by: Eva Judge

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