EU bans harmful chemical from materials in contact with food

The Commission has extended bans on the use of a chemical commonly used in plastics and resins – bisphenol A (BPA) – which is often found in food and drink packaging, and is known to harm human health. 

Under the ban, BPA can no longer be used in products such as coatings on metal cans, reusable plastic drinks bottles, water coolers, and other kitchen utensils. 

The chemical has been banned in infant and toddler products, such as bottles and teats, since 2011. 

“Maintaining high food safety standards in the European Union and protecting citizens is one of the Commission’s top priorities,” said Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi in a press release.  

The ban follows a 2023 opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which concluded that dietary exposure to BPA presents a health concern for consumers across all age groups. 

As a result of the study, EFSA significantly lowered the tolerable daily intake – the amount that can be safely consumed daily over a lifetime – to around 20,000 times lower than the previous limit set in 2015.   

Bisphenol A is classified as a hazardous chemical by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) as it can cause serious eye damage, allergic skin reactions and respiratory irritation. 

Due to its properties as an endocrine disruptor, it can also cause hormonal alterations, damaging fertility and the reproductive system.  

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals can be dangerous even at very low doses and have effects later in life. They have been widely studied in recent years, as analysis suggest that they may be responsible for declining sperm counts, increased numbers of male children born with genital malformations, and rising cases of certain types of cancer that are known to be hormone-sensitive.   

The Commission announced that, for most products, there will be a phase-out period of 18 months, with very limited exceptions where there is no alternative, to give industries time to adapt while avoiding disruptions to the food supply chain.