Europe will reassess the safety performance of plastic products

On May 6th, the French newspaper *Le Monde* (www.lemonde.fr) reported that in mid-April, the Canadian government announced its plan to ban the use of plastics containing bisphenol A (BPA), an organic aromatic compound, in the production of baby bottles. The move comes as Canada now considers BPA a toxic substance, and the decision has sparked global discussions on the safety of this widely used chemical found in many plastic products.

In the United States, several members of Congress have urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to re-examine the health risks associated with BPA. Similarly, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced on May 2 that it will reassess the safety of BPA, following growing concerns from scientists and public health advocates.

BPA is a synthetic compound classified under organic aromatic compounds, known for its potential to interfere with the endocrine system. Since the 1930s, researchers have studied its effects, particularly its ability to mimic estrogen, a hormone critical to human development.

The debate over BPA centers around its presence in plastics, especially those used in food packaging and consumer goods. While the plastics industry argues that exposure to BPA through food is minimal and harmless, recent independent studies have raised new concerns. These studies, conducted on both mice and humans, suggest that even low levels of BPA may have adverse health effects.

Another related compound, phthalates, is also commonly found in plastics and has been banned in the EU for use in toys and baby products due to its harmful impact on the endocrine system. This has led to increased scrutiny of all similar chemicals used in everyday items.

In November 2006, the EFSA had already evaluated BPA at the request of the European Commission and concluded that it was safe for human consumption. However, some experts now argue that the earlier findings were based on outdated research and that more recent data shows the need for a fresh look. They point out that while lab animals like mice are highly sensitive to estrogen-like substances, human responses may differ significantly. As more evidence emerges, the pressure on regulatory bodies to act is growing, and the conversation around BPA continues to evolve.