The European Food Safety Authority has issued new guidance on safe levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in contact with food to address concerns and confusion about its use.
BPA, which is used in some plastics and can coatings, has now been given a full tolerable daily intake (TDI) level of 0.05mg/kg body weight. For the last five years, uncertainties about its effects meant it was only granted a temporary TDI level.
Nick Kernoghan, business manager for testing services at Pira International, says: "This will have two effects. It will make compliance easier, and it demonstrates that as a chemical it is safer to use than was once feared."
The European Commission is likely to reassess the permitted specific migration limit for BPA in food, though no timetable has been set. According to Kernoghan, it is highly probable that the new level will be fixed at 3mg/kg of food.