Posted by Green Diva Mom on Jan.17, 2010

©iStockphoto.com - MarsBars

On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a statement reversing their position on the plastic additive Bisphenol-A (BPA), found in food containers and baby bottles, as well as the linings of some food cans including baby formula. Foods canned or stored in containers with bisphenol-A have tested positive for traces of the chemical, which may mimic the effects of estrogen in the body.

In 2008, the FDA took the position that BPA was safe and did not pose a health risk to people. In Friday’s announcement, the FDA wrote, “But recent studies have reported subtle effects of low doses of BPA in laboratory animals.  While BPA is not proven to harm children or adults, these newer studies have led federal health officials to express some concern about the safety of BPA.”

As part of this “concern,” the FDA is supporting more research into the effects of BPA, funding for these studies and outreach efforts to help food processors and plastic makers reduce or remove BPA from their products. Friday’s announcement also included the formation of a group to study the chemical’s effects on children.

In a response to the statement, Richard Wiles, the Environmental Working Group’s co-founder and Senior VP for Policy and Communications, said, “This reversal by the new leadership at FDA ends nearly a decade of agency collusion with BPA manufacturers,” and “We hope this signals the beginning of a new era for health protections from FDA, based on 21st century science.”

While the FDA’s reversal is a step in the right direction, and we applaud their inclusion in the announcement of tips to reduce bisphenol-a exposure during the 18-24 months they expect to need to execute and compile the studies on the chemical’s effectiveness, we would like to see more immediate and more stringent response. The steps outlined for reducing exposure are a good place for a Green Diva Mom to start for eliminating this chemical from homes, especially with infants.

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Posted under GDM News & Politics, Living.