House Energy and Commerce Committee Asks FDA to Review its Decision on the Safety of BPA
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has issued a press release announcing that Committee Chairman Waxman and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Stupak have sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Hamburg asking the FDA to reconsider its conclusion under the Bush Administration that Bisphenol A1 is safe at current estimated exposure levels.
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According to the letter, the Committee and its Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee have been investigating the possible dangers of BPA in consumer products and food product containers, particularly in infant formula containers and other items used by infants and toddlers.
The letter notes that under the Bush Administration, the FDA concluded that BPA was safe at current exposure levels, but that many studies have raised serious concerns with BPA, and the FDA's own Science Board Subcommittee criticized FDA's conclusion.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 11/17/08 news, 08111715, for BP summary of the FDA's Science Board Subcommittee's position on FDA's BPA assessment.)
Letter Also Sent to Industry Group that Opposes Efforts to Regulate BPA
Chairmen Waxman and Stupak also sent a letter to the North American Metal Packaging Alliance, the industry group that represents companies that manufacture and use BPA, regarding media reports that the group may use "fear tactics" in its public relations strategy to counter efforts to regulate BPA.
Legislation to Ban BPA in Food and Beverage Containers Already Introduced
On March 12, 2009, Senator Feinstein (D) introduced the Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2009 (S. 593) in the Senate. Representative Markey (D) introduced the same legislation (H.R. 1523) in the House on March 16, 2009.
These bills would require that (i) reusable beverage containers (including baby bottles and thermoses) that contain Bisphenol A not be sold; and (ii) other food and beverage containers (such as canned food or formula) containing BPA not be introduced into commerce. The ban would take effect 180 days from the date of enactment of the legislation. The bills also contain a waiver provision and a labeling requirement. Both of these bills are still in committee.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/18/09 news, 09031825, for BP summary on the introduction of this legislation.)
1Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, is used in a wide variety of consumer products, including food containers, water bottles and baby bottles.
Energy and Commerce Committee press release, with links to letters to FDA Commissioner Hamburg and the North American Metal Packaging Alliance, available at http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1636:-energy-and-commerce-chairmen-waxman-and-stupak-request-fda-review-of-bisphenol-a-bpa-decision&catid=154:correspondence&Itemid=55.