EFSA wants input into approach for BPA re-evaluation
The draft defines scope, methodology and information needs before the assessment starts in 2018 by the Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) panel.
It describes potential health effects (e.g. reproduction, mammary, nervous system) and questions for each type of effect and approaches for weighing and integrating evidence, establishing a full TDI and assessing uncertainties.
EFSA completed a safety review of BPA in 2015 and set a temporary tolerable daily intake (t-TDI) of 4 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (µg/kg of bw/day).
Following this, the European Commission lowered the specific migration limit (SML) for BPA from plastic food contact materials and into or onto food from varnishes or coatings from 0.6 mg/kg to 0.05 mg/kg.
EFSA said toxicity would be re-evaluated when results of research by the US National Toxicology Program were available.
The review will also include other studies judged relevant and published since the December 2012 cut-off point for the last review of BPA safety.
Anna Castoldi, the EFSA scientist leading the protocol development, said it is the first public consultation it has done on a scientific protocol.
“We’re giving specialists and members of the public an opportunity to inform an EFSA scientific assessment before work starts. We are looking forward to receiving comments, insights and suggestions that will help us improve the transparency and completeness of this future work.”
A committee of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) voted BPA was an endocrine disruptor last month, classifying it as a substance of very high concern (SVHC).
Deadline to submit written feedback on the proposals is 3 September via the online form. EFSA will hold a follow-up meeting with contributors on 14 September in Brussels.
