Packaging and drinks industry dismiss calls to ban bisphenol A

Foodproduction daily: "Minute levels of bisphenol A detected in drink cans pose no health risk to consumers, said beverage companies and a leading industry body as they rejected calls from an environmental group to ban the chemical.

The Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association (MPMA) said the report by BUND, the German arm of Friends of the Earth, actually underlined the safety of the packaging as consumers would have to drink thousands of cans every day to exceed the established tolerable daily intake (TDI) level for BPA. Drinks giants such as Coca-Cola and Red Bull also stressed that their containers and beverages were safe.

The industry response came after BUND released the results of tests showing BPA was found in both the epoxy linings of cans, as well some drinks, made by the likes of Coca-Cola, Red Bull and Nestle. After analysing 11 drinks, BPA levels per tin ranged from 0.3 micrograms (ug) to 8.3ug. Traces of the substance were found in five drinks up to a level of 3.9ug per litre, said the group.

BUND acknowledged the levels were not harmful in themselves but nevertheless called for a ban on the chemical as consumption of canned drinks would add to consumers’ cumulative exposure to BPA."