BPF Statement on BPA

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is one of the most studied chemicals in recent history and the current safety measures were re-affirmed as safe for adults, children and unborn children by the European Food Standards Agency (EFSA) as recently as October 2016, and the UK Food Standards Agency officially supports these conclusions. The British Plastics Federation (BPF) also supports these conclusions: at current exposure levels, plastics containing BPA pose no health risk for any age group.

BPA is a chemical used primarily in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. During the production process, BPA molecules bind to one another to form the structure of the material itself, so exposure to BPA from polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin food contact applications is minimal. It is not present in every plastic — for example, PET bottles used for most ‘on the go’ water and soft drinks do not contain it — and it is also found in other materials.

The UK plastics industry considers issues of chemical safety to be of paramount importance, and adheres to strict safety migration limits. The BPF supports the conclusions of the European Food Standards Agency that at current exposure levels, plastics containing BPA pose no health risks for consumers of any age group.