On 9 February 2024, the European Commission published a draft proposed ban on the use of bisphenol A in food contact materials, amending, among other things. It bans the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in any stage of the manufacture of varnishes or coatings, printing inks, adhesives, ion-exchange resins and rubbers for food contact, and prohibits the placing on the market of food contact products consisting wholly or partly of the above materials. BPA is permitted as a precursor substance for the synthesis of BADGE, but the use of BADGE-based varnishes or coatings must not result in hydrolysis or any other reaction that would result in the residual or migration of BPA into the food product, either during the manufacturing process or in contact with the food.

BPA is a white powder or flaky crystals, which is mainly used in the production of polycarbonate, epoxy resin and many other polymer materials, and is an important industrial raw material. Polycarbonate is commonly used in food contact packaging materials, such as recyclable beverage bottles, milk bottles, cutlery, storage jars, microwave heating boxes, sports kettles and household water pipes; epoxy resins are commonly used in the lining of cans, the lining of metal lids for glass jams and the lining of large domestic water storage towers.

Current research has shown that human exposure to BPA will cause many adverse effects, such as endocrine disruption, and human metabolic system diseases such as high blood lipids, diabetes, etc., and through the impact of obesity-related genes leading to the accumulation of fat triggered by obesity; also affect the reproductive system of humans and animals, and therefore known as the "environmental oestrogens "BPA also affects the normal function of the immune system and nervous system, and induces the migration of cancer cells.

The EU mandated member states to ban the use of BPA-containing plastics in the production of baby bottles from 1 March 2011, and from 1 June 2011, the EU banned the import of such plastic baby bottles.

In February 2018, the EU revised the requirements for the control of BPA in food contact materials: the specific migration limit for BPA in food contact varnishes or coatings was revised to no more than 0.05mg/kg and no BPA should be allowed to migrate from varnishes or coatings used for food for infants and young children. the migration limit for BPA in food contact plastics was reduced from 0.6mg/kg to 0.05mg/kg and should not be used in the manufacture of polycarbonate milk bottles for infants. manufacture of polycarbonate milk bottles for infants, polycarbonate drinking cups or bottles for infants. Requires operators to ensure that varnished and coated materials and articles must be accompanied by a written declaration of conformity document that is available at all stages of manufacture, processing and distribution except the retail stage.

On 19 April 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a news release stating that the EU Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) has reassessed the risk to public health from BPA. As a result of the assessment the CEP panel concluded that the likelihood of a direct genotoxic hazard from BPA is very low. based on animal

According to the data and results of human observational studies, the immune system was determined to be the most sensitive to BPA exposure, and there are health concerns for humans exposed to BPA through diet.

On 18 July 2023, the EU Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG Sante) held a webinar in which it was stated that it is proposed to ban the intentional addition of BPA and Bisphenol S, Bisphenol AF, and 2,2-bis(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methylpentane to food contact materials. DG Sante anticipates that the ban will come into effect in spring 2024, with an 18 month transition period expected to follow in the end of 2025 or early 2026, food contact materials containing these bisphenols will be banned from the market.

The deadline for public comments is 8 March 2024, when the European Commission released the draft of the proposed ban on the use of bisphenol A in food contact materials. Foodmate continue to follow the progress and share the latest news with you in a timely manner.