The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) in packaging for baby formula.
In a statement on Friday (11 July), the FDA said it will publish a final rule amending the food additive regulations to no longer provide for the use of BPA as a coating in infant formula packaging as a result of “abandonment” and not safety of the resin.
“The agency’s current safety review supports the safety of BPA for use in the manufacture of food contact articles as authorised in the food additive regulations,” it said.
The FDA’s action was the result of a food additive petition submitted by Representative Edward Markey of Massachusetts. It stated that industry has “abandoned” the use of BPA in the manufacture of infant formula packaging and requested the FDA amend the existing food additive regulations to no longer provide for the use of BPA to reflect the change in industry practice.
The agency said continues to take the position that BPA is safe. However, it said the decision was made as the chemical had been abandoned by manufacturers in baby formula packaging.
