The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans on issuing new regulations on the amount of Bisphenol A that can be used in food and drink products. Bisphenol A has been linked in several studies to heightened risk of reproductive abnormalities, breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, and heart disease. Several states and Municipalities have banned Bisphenol A in plastic bottles.
Items tested by Consumer Reports
Now a recent report in Consumer Reports, has found that 19 canned food brand name items, contain Bisphenol A (BPA). The items range from soups, juice, tuna, and green beans. The worst part about this is that canned items labeled organic, in some instances, had higher BPA levels than non organic items. Even canned food items that listed themseleves as BPA free were found to contain this compound. The debate between the FDA and brand food manufacturers, and plastic bottle beverage companies, is at what levels is BPA safe to ingest at? Current Federal guidelines put the upper daily limit of safe exposure at 50 micrograms of BPA per kilogram of body weight. Unfortunately, the guidelines were established in 1980, prior to the extensive animal testing that shows this level to be too high. Recent animal testing shows that levels of 50 micrograms of BPA, can cause serious health issues within these animals. I’m a bit surprised that the FDA has not called for a total recall of the items tested by Consumer Reports. How can we safe guard the public if the government does not act to protect it? BPA has categorically been found to be a health hazard to humans. Why is there even a debate as to what amounts of BPA are OK for us to ingest? BPA needs to be banned. Period. There should not be a discussion within government or business for this to exist in our beverages or food products.
John Vlahakis
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