FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grocery Manufacturers Association Statement Regarding Health Canada Risk Assessment of Bisphenol A (BPA) for Adults and Children
Contact:
Scott Openshaw, Director, Communications, 202-295-3957
Brian Kennedy, Director, Communications, 202-639-5994
October 17, 2008
(Washington, D.C.) In a statement released today, Robert Brackett, chief science officer for the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), reassured consumers about the safety of bisphenol A (BPA):
“While we respect the Canadian government’s decision regarding the use of BPA, their precautionary action is disproportional to the risk determined by public health agencies. An assessment of the entire body of scientific evidence and the findings of the FDA – which reaffirmed the safety of BPA as recently as August – and numerous health authorities and researchers have concluded that consumers can continue to safely enjoy foods and beverages in the many forms of packaging provided, including those that contain BPA, without changing their purchasing or eating patterns.
“The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have all evaluated and approved the safety of BPA. BPA is approved by FDA for use in food contact applications, and for more than 40 years it has played an essential part in food preservation.
“In addition to the WHO and the EFSA, several other prominent international bodies have also agreed with FDA regarding the safety of BPA. These include the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate of the European Commission; the European Chemical Bureau of the European Union; the European Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavorings, Processing Aids, and Materials in Contact with Food; and the Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.
“The food and beverage industry, along with other domestic and international regulatory agencies, and the scientific community will continue to evaluate the safety of BPA for infants, children and adults on an ongoing basis. For more information regarding the safety of BPA, please visit http://www.gmabrands.com/publications/SciPol_Bisphenol.pdf to review GMA’s science policy paper on BPA.
###
Based in Washington, D.C., the Grocery Manufacturers Association is the voice of more than 300 leading food, beverage and consumer product companies that sustain and enhance the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the globe. Founded in 1908, GMA is an active, vocal advocate for its member companies and a trusted source of information about the industry and the products consumers rely on and enjoy every day. The association and its member companies are committed to meeting the needs of consumers through product innovation, responsible business practices and effective public policy solutions developed through a genuine partnership with policymakers and other stakeholders. In keeping with its founding principles, GMA helps its members produce safe products through a strong and ongoing commitment to scientific research, testing and evaluation and to providing consumers with the products, tools and information they need to achieve a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. The food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry in the United States generates sales of $2.1 trillion annually, employs 14 million workers and contributes $1 trillion in added value to the economy every year.
[back to top]
|
Printable Version
