The FDA said the petition failed to demonstrate the need for immediate regulatory action. In announcing its decision, the agency reiterated that BPA, at current levels of exposure, is safe for use in food contact applications for people of all ages, including infants and children.
Dr John Rost, chairman of NAMPA, said: “FDA’s decision is a welcome development, demonstrating the seriousness of the agency’s commitment to doing its job of protecting public health. Instead of bowing to pressure from activist groups, the agency is relying on science to set public health policy.
“FDA’s decision to pursue an updated risk assessment is especially important given that preliminary results from ongoing government funded research support the safety of BPA in food contact uses.”
Since its last assessment in 2010, FDA has invested millions of dollars into research on BPA. With much of that work still underway, NAMPA agrees with FDA’s view that taking action prior to the conclusion of that research would make little sense.
Dr Rost added: “Given the serious implications on food safety from any action to ban BPA, we believe FDA is pursuing a prudent course of action. A ban without conclusive scientific evidence of risk would compromise the safety of canned foods and beverages enjoyed by millions of Americans everyday.”
Source: NAMPA
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