Ban of BPA in Food Contact Materials: Impact on Cookware and Plastic Industries

According to a recent post of the FEC Federation of the European Cookware, Cutlery and Housewares Industries, the European Commission announced during a public webinar on July 18th, 2023 their decision to ban Bisphenol A (BPA) as an intentionally used substance in the production of food contact materials and articles. This comes after extensive evaluations conducted by the European Food and Safety Agency (EFSA) and could bring about a substantial shift in various industries.

EFSA has dedicated years to studying BPA's impact on human health. In April, they set a notably stringent limit for the tolerated daily intake of BPA, making it 200,000 times lower than the previous standard. The new limit is so minimal that it is virtually immeasurable. The decision to ban BPA is grounded in its toxicological classification rather than the actual risk it poses, highlighting the European Commission's commitment to safeguarding consumer health.

The European Commission is presently in the process of drafting legislative measures to enforce this ban, with the expected implementation in 2024. This impending measure will have far-reaching consequences, particularly for the plastic and coatings industries. BPA is commonly employed in the manufacture of polycarbonate and polysulphone, as well as the internal coatings of food containers. While these materials are known for their inert characteristics, the ban may impact their production and usage.

SOURCE: linkedin.com