Donation raises questions for head of FDA’s bisphenol A panel

JS Online:  "A retired medical supply manufacturer who considers bisphenol A to be “perfectly safe” gave $5 million to the research center of Martin Philbert, chairman of the Food and Drug Association panel about to make a pivotal ruling on the chemical’s safety."

Philbert's committee is expected to release its opinion this month. It will advise the FDA on whether to accept, reject or amend a draft released by the agency in September. That draft found that products made with bisphenol A are safe for food storage.

The decision of Philbert's committee is being watched carefully by chemical-makers and is expected to have huge implications on the regulation and sale of the chemical in items such as baby bottles, reusable food containers and plastic wraps.