The European Union has officially prohibited Bisphenol A (BPA) in all materials that come into contact with food. This regulation, effective January 20, aims to eliminate exposure to the harmful endocrine disruptor linked to severe health risks.

BPA Restrictions Extended to Diverse Manufacturing Processes

BPA, a chemical widely found in cans, water bottles, and food containers, is now banned in all food-related materials. The prohibition also applies to the production of plastics, glues, rubbers, varnishes, coatings, printing inks, silicone, and ion exchange resins that might contact food.

“Bisphenol A has been classified as a substance of very high concern under REACH since 2006 for its reproductive toxicity,” said Sandra Jen, Head of the Health and Chemicals Programme at HEAL. “In 2017, its designation expanded to include endocrine-disrupting effects on human health. BPA is linked to conditions like breast cancer, diabetes, and neurobehavioral disorders,” she added.

In 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) confirmed that dietary exposure to BPA poses significant risks for people of all ages. This scientific conclusion reinforced the urgency for stricter regulations.

Health Advocates Push for Broader Chemical Controls

While BPA has been banned in baby bottles since 2011, the process to extend restrictions across all food-contact materials has been slow. Advocacy groups and scientists have long emphasized the dangers of BPA exposure.

“Concerns about BPA were first highlighted by scientists more than a decade ago,” said Jen. “The European Environment Agency published warnings over ten years ago, but regulatory action has taken far too long.”

Now, health advocates are urging the EU to expand BPA regulations further. They call for the ban to include other consumer products, such as toys, where BPA exposure remains a risk.

This milestone ban underscores the EU’s leadership in chemical safety and consumer protection. However, experts agree that more decisive action is needed to address related substances and ensure broader public safety.