Recently, the FDA has rejected a petition from environmentalists that would ban the plastic hardening chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) from all food and drink packaging. On March 30th, the FDA announced the petitioners did not present compelling scientific evidence that would validate the new restrictions on this chemical.
There are some evidence that BPA causes harm to the reproductive and nervous systems if exposed to this chemical. It is known that 90% of Americans have traces of BPA in their bodies, because if our constant exposure of bottles, canned food, and other containers. The FDA defended their decision by saying that those findings can’t be applied to humans and any study conducted so far are too small to be conclusive. The studies had researchers inject BPA into animals, but on the other hand, humans ingest the chemical through their diet over longer periods of time. Humans supposedly digest and remove BPA more quickly than any lab animal. The FDA are concerned that there might be a larger effect on young children, therefore are spending $30 million to conduct further studies.
Many companies aren’t waiting for the ban to happen as they are responding to consumer demand to remove BPA from their products. Some examples are Wal-Mart, Toys “R” Us and Campbell’s Soup.
What do you think about this BPA controversy?
Read the original article here –Courtesy of Times Healthland