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Eugene

(61,894 posts) Sat Mar 31, 2012, 09:42 AM Mar 2012

FDA rejects call to ban BPA from food packaging

Source: USA Today

FDA rejects call to ban BPA from food packaging

Updated 15h 58m ago

WASHINGTON – The Food and Drug Administration has rejected a petition from environmentalists that would have banned the plastic-hardening chemical bisphenol-A from all food and drink packaging, including plastic bottles and canned food.

The agency said Friday that petitioners did not present compelling scientific evidence to justify new restrictions on the much-debated chemical, commonly known as BPA, though federal scientists continue to study the issue.

The Natural Resources Defense Council's petition was the latest move by public safety advocates to prod regulators into taking action against the chemical, which is found in everything from CDs to canned food to dental sealants.

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4 replies

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Highlight:

FDA rejects call to ban BPA from food packaging (Original Post) Eugene Mar 2012 OP

The FDA should have erred on the side of caution. Other countries have banned it: freshwest Mar 2012 #1

A recent thread in GD Cirque du So-What Mar 2012 #2

Well then, I'll just have to work a little harder at buying food that kestrel91316 Mar 2012 #3

And feel free to let companies which are still using BPA know why you aren't buying from GreenPartyVoter Mar 2012 #4

freshwest

(53,661 posts)

1. The FDA should have erred on the side of caution. Other countries have banned it:

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Sat Mar 31, 2012, 10:05 AM

Mar 2012

'...Several countries have introduced voluntary measures or laws to stop the manufacture of baby bottles with BPA and published guidelines on safer use of these containers.

"Canada, the European Union, China, and at least five other countries as well as 11 US states, all have prohibited the use of BPA in children's products," the NRDC said.'

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/8444398/us-wont-ban-bpa-from-food-packaging

I first heard of this years ago from people I know in Canada. Is the FDA implying that Canada and the EU didn't do sufficient research before they banned it?

Obama has just done us a service by getting COO labeling back, which Bush disallowed, despite consumers needing it to make informed decisions. The FDA has failed again.

I don't buy their lukewarm claim at the OP link that they welcome more studies and will reverse this later. The people of the USA deserve better than this.

Cirque du So-What

(25,938 posts)

2. A recent thread in GD

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Sat Mar 31, 2012, 10:09 AM

Mar 2012

discusses the onset of puberty in children as young as 10:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11422244

This article discusses six manufacturers of baby bottles who will stop using BPA-laden plastics:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/141410.php

Too late for those children who are now experiencing early puberty, however.

How much of this reluctance to ban BPA is directly related to lobbying from the plastics manufacturers?

Wall Street is certainly worthy of 'occupation,' but so is K Street.

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)

3. Well then, I'll just have to work a little harder at buying food that

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Sat Mar 31, 2012, 10:33 AM

Mar 2012

isn't packaged in plastic.

GreenPartyVoter

(72,377 posts)

4. And feel free to let companies which are still using BPA know why you aren't buying from