Food Production Daily, George Reynolds
Published March 8, 2007
A study that found some baby foods contained high levels of a packaging chemical linked to cancer and birth defects, has left processors scrambling to deal with the resulting consumer reaction.
Tests found bisphenol A was present in 55 of the 97 of samples of canned fruit, soda, and baby formula taken from supermarket shelves, according to a study released this week by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
The study showed that the toxic chemical is migrating into foods from
packaging. The resulting consumer and regulatory fallout from the health scare could force processors to seek safer alternatives.
EWG is a non-profit environmental research organization based in Washington, DC, providing information for public interest groups.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an additive widely used in plastics and the resin
linings of food cans. Studies have found that the chemical migrates in small amounts into food and beverages from packaging containing the substance.
Previous scientific studies have linked BPA to birth defects and
reproductive problems.
The EWG research took samples of 27 national brands of food from different chains of supermarket across three states.
The tests found that pregnant women and infants who eat even a single
serving of some canned foods are exposed to unsafe doses of BPA. The food tested included many canned foods eaten most often by women of childbearing age.
The research found that BPA levels were highest in canned pasta and soup, while infant formula also had high levels.
EWG claims that between one to three servings of foods with these BPA levels could expose a pregnant woman or infant to harm.
Jane Houlihan, EWG's vice president for research, said the issue over BPA reads like a case study of how badly chemical safety operates.
"We've known it's toxic for 75 years, it's polluting the bodies of almost all Americans, but we allow it in our food at levels that leave no margin of safety for pregnant women and young children," she said.
Scientists have detected BPA in breast milk, serum, saliva, urine, amniotic fluid, and cord blood from at least 2,200 people in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently
detected BPA in 95 per cent of nearly 400 US adults and children.
According to EWG, the last comprehensive review of low dose studies found that 94 of 115 of peer-reviewed studies confirmed BPA's toxicity at low levels of exposure.
The findings, published on March 5, 2008, coincide with a public
consultation on the use and effects of BPA held in Virginia, this week.
An independent panel of experts, convened by the Center for Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR) met to identify data gaps and research needs.
Environmental Working Group, however expressed concerns over the integrity of CERHR science and the conflicts of interest on the part of a center contractor, Sciences International (SI).
It claims the SI plays a major management role in CERHR operations while at the same time doing business with a client base that includes manufacturers of chemicals under review by the Center, including BPA.
CERHR is expected to publish its consultation findings shortly. The
consultation takes the US a step closer to the European approach on
Bisphenol A.
Following extensive research on the harmful effects of the chemical, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set a maximum daily tolerable intake level after considering extensive research that links the chemical to cancer and other illnesses.
A level of 5 milligram/kg body weight of was set, although it was accepted that the average daily intake was 30 per cent of the new limit.
BPA is used to manufacture polycarbonate, a rigid plastic used to make
infant feeding bottles, plates, mugs, jugs, beakers, microwave oven ware and storage containers.
It is also used in the production of the epoxy-phenolic resins that form internal protective linings for cans and metal lids. The resins are also used as coatings for water storage tanks and wine vats.
Recent US and Japanese scientific studies caused a scare over BPA in 2005. The US study found low doses of BPA could harm the development of young brains.
Another US study found that BPA increased breast cancer cell growth. The US studies were done on rats.
The Japanese study indicated a link between recurrent miscarriages in women and BPA.
