The 12-week consultation follows a recommendation by the Food Standards Agency to remove BPA and similar substances from use in food contact materials such as coatings, varnishes, and plastics used in food packaging and processing.
The proposal aims to better protect public health by reducing long-term exposure to these chemicals and follows a review by the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food. While other bisphenols were not individually assessed, they are structurally similar to BPA and raise similar safety concerns.
BPA is currently used in the manufacture of some household kitchen items and food packaging, such as refillable water bottles and the linings of food and drinks cans. Although only small amounts may migrate into food or drink, regular exposure through diet has raised concerns about potential health effects.
The consultation is open to all interested parties until 24 December 2025 and invites feedback on the principle of a ban, as well as on how it could be introduced covering scope, timelines and transitional arrangements.
Once the consultation closes, the Food Standards Agency will review all responses and provide final recommendations to ministers, who will decide on the future regulatory status of BPA and related chemicals.
“We’ve reviewed the latest science and evidence on BPA and agree that exposure should be reduced to minimise potential long-term risks to health, including effects on the endocrine, reproductive and immune system,” said Dr James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the Food Standards Agency.
“That’s why we are proposing a ban on BPA and similar substances in food contact materials. We welcome all views on this proposal and how it could be implemented, before we advise ministers on next steps.”
