"Ludicrous." "Bogus." "Illogical."

Scientists and public health advocates expressed frustration on Friday as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it will continue to allow the chemical bisphenol-A in food and beverage containers.

The decision denied a request from the Natural Resources Defense Council to ban some uses of BPA -- such as in plastic food packaging and coated metal cans -- that may introduce the hormone-scrambling substance into Americans' diet.