Race is on to find bisphenol A substitutes, says NAMPA

foodqualitynews.com: "The race is on to find bisphenol A (BPA) alternatives in can linings but a substitute is unlikely be brought to market immediately - whatever laws are passed, the North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA) said yesterday."

John M. Rost, chairman of the influential US trade association, reiterated that its members were leading the chase to discover BPA replacements in metal containers despite being entirely convinced the chemical poses no health hazard at current exposure levels from food packaging.

The industry had come to terms with the apparent “paradox” that while safety bodies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) do not believe the substance is a threat, consumers were demanding its removal, said the chairman in a letter that formed part of a regular NAMPA circular to the industry.

The packaging chief added the industry had embarked on its quest as an acceptance “that consumers’ concerns are real, whether we agree with them or not” and packaging producers were “hard at work trying to identify and test new can coating options that do not contain BPA”.

BPA is used as part of the epoxy lining in food and drink cans and in the manufacture of polycarbonate baby bottles and sippy cups for children. A raft of leading North American baby bottle manufacturers have already pledged to stop using the chemical in response to political and consumer concerns and a number of US states have introduced unilateral bans, with more due to follow suit. Last November, the European Commission announced a full ban on BPA in baby bottles would be introduced by mid-2011 for the region.