WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), author of legislation to prohibit the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in all food and beverage containers and senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), today praised the conclusion of an FDA subcommittee that the FDA’s current assessment of BPA’s safety is inadequate.

Rep. Markey said, "This report by a panel of scientists and doctors disagrees with the FDA's assessment that BPA is safe. The only question now is whether the FDA is preparing a Trick or a Treat this Halloween - will it play a  trick on America's consumers by failing to follow these recommendations or will it treat consumers justly by banning BPA in food and beverage containers?"

The report compiled by the FDA Science Board Subcommittee on Bisphenol A concludes that there is, "a sufficient scientific basis to conclude that the Margins of Safety defined by FDA as adequate are, in fact, inadequate." Based on the scientific evidence, the report recommends a significantly lower level of BPA exposure than the level currently selected in the draft FDA assessment. The full report can be found here: http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/08/briefing/2008-4386b1-05.pdf

"It is critical that the FDA move quickly on these findings given the prevalence of BPA in everything from baby bottles to soup cans, coupled with mounting concerns about the effects of BPA on human health," concluded Rep. Markey.

On June 10th, Rep. Markey introduced legislation, H.R. 6228, to prohibit the use of BPA in all food and beverage containers. More information about his efforts related to BPA can be found HERE.

 
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