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BPA And Plastic Packaging - A Few Facts

By Eva Judge

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 02Nov2011
Word count: 441
Viewed: 155 time(s)

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Plastic is one of the most common forms of packaging in use today with many different types used in many applications. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a particular type of plastic used to line some food and beverage packaging to prevent the contents coming into contact with metal. BPA has been the subject of concern in the international community for the last couple of years after laboratory tests showed that low levels of BPA may have an effect on the reproductive system. Although subsequent studies have since shown that such effects are unlikely, a cautious approach has been taken, and BPA is being phased out in products made for babies and young children.

In terms of its use in plastic packaging for the general community, safe levels of BPA have been established at 0.05 mg per kilogram per body weight per day. This is called the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) and is the amount of a substance in food that can be ingested daily over a lifetime without risk to health. It is necessary to use BPA in some food packaging to prevent contamination and extend shelf life, so having a measurable TDI gives consumer's confidence in the products they are buying.

There have been no new studies that require the TDI to be revised and an international panel of experts established by the World Health Organization also found that BPA is not accumulated in the body and is quickly eliminated through passing of urine. However, consumer concerns continued through 2008 into 2010 in regard to the use of BPA in products being used by babies and young children. The Canadian Government responded to these concerns by declaring BPA a toxic substance under their environmental protection legislation, and this action prompted other governments, including those of Australia and New Zealand, to commence a voluntary phasing out of BPA in plastic baby bottles, purely in response to consumer demand.

There is no suggestion that the use of BPA in plastic packaging or plastic bags poses any health dangers to any member of the community. In fact, Food Standards Australia New Zealand conducted an analytical survey of BPA levels in food and drinks in Australia, including foods packaged in polycarbonate plastics, steel cans with epoxy lining and glass jars with metal lids. This survey showed that only a small number of samples contained BPA in negligible quantities. BPA is the subject of ongoing research, both here in Australia and overseas, and the FSANZ constantly monitor the situation to see if any changes are needed to the TDI. As consumers, we can be confident that our food packaging is safe.

Food packaging company Dabron Packaging http://www.dabron.com.au/ has been part of the voluntary phase out of the use of BPA. Plastic bags Brisbane are not included as they do not touch food.

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