The National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark revealed it was maintaining its assessment (made in September 2013) of bisphenol A (BPA) despite the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA)’s decision in January this year.
According to the National Food Institute's calculations the new tolerable daily intake (TDI) should be 0.7 micrograms per kilogram body weight per day or lower to be sufficiently protective.
EFSA concluded that an intake of less than 4 micrograms per kilogram body weight per day does not pose a health risk.
Previously the TDI was less than or equal to 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight.
DVFA response
DVFA said while there was no basis for legal action it will work to lower the use and exposure of BPA even further through a positive dialogue with the industry.
“The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration cannot judge what level of tolerable daily intake, of BPA is most correct, but we listen to the experts from the EFSA and theNational Food Institute at the Technical University of Denmark, DTU Food.
“However, we do work to lower the exposure from BPA, and we are pleased to see that the average citizen is exposed to a lower level of BPA than any of the two suggested levels of TDI.”
France is the only EU country to have a ban on BPA but that has recently come under pressure.
TDI is not protective
According to the researchers, one reason for the TDI not protecting from endocrine disrupting effects is that EFSA does not apply an appropriate uncertainty factor.
It was also claimed that EFSA did not sufficiently take data from animal studies showing effects on female mammary gland, the male reproductive system, and brain development and function into account.
EFSA evaluated that for people with the highest level of exposure, men and women are exposed to more than 1 microgram of BPA per kilogram per day, while children and teenagers are exposed to between 1.26 and 1.45 micrograms per kilogram day.
Ulla Hass, a professor from the National Food Institute, said the tolerable intake should be lower than one fifth of the EFSA recommended limit.
“We maintain the National Food Institute's previous risk assessment of bisphenol A," she said.
“…comparison of the exposure to the TDI recommended by the National Food Institute shows that humans with a high exposure may exceed the safe limit. Their intake can come from food, cash receipts and cosmetics.”
Meanwhile, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) has launched a communications campaign to highlight conclusions from the EFSA and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Both agencies found that BPA is safe in levels people are exposed to after evaluating the substance.
The ads encourage consumers and manufacturers to: “Listen to the Science: Experts Say BPA is Safe”.
