The FSA wrote to interested parties on 9 Dec/10 with an update on policy developments within the EU concerning Bisphenol A (BPA). Following the publication of the EFSA opinion on 30 Sept/10 the Commission decided to take a precautionary approach on the science which concluded that the total dietary intake (TDI) for BPA of 0.05mg/kg b.w./day did not require adjustment in the light of the studies. A minority opinion of one, however, was that the TDI should become a temporary TDI to reflect remaining uncertainties. The Commission then started discussion with Member States on possible options to reduce the exposure of infants to BPA from polycarbonate infant feeding bottles & subsequently a vote was held at the November Standing Committee meeting. The Commission's proposal to restrict the use of BPA in polycarbonate feeding bottles was adopted by a qualified majority vote. In response to the adoption of the proposal, the FSA on 20 Dec/10 launched a consultation on Plastic Materials & Articles in Contact with Food (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011. These regulations would reflect the provisions of the yet to be published Commission Directive & implement in England a phased prohibition on polycarbonate feeding bottles, manufactured using Bisphenol A (BPA), intended for infants of up to 12 months of age. The regulations would achieve this by making amendments to The Plastic Materials & Articles in Contact with Food (England) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009 No. 205). Under the terms of the Commission Directive, BPA must not be used in the production of polycarbonate infant feeding bottles in the EU from 1 March 2011and such items containing BPA must not be placed on the market or imported into the EU from 1 June 2011. The consultation, to which responses are requested by 14 January 2011, includes the draft English implementing Regulations and the final draft Commission Directive.
