EFSA to Analyse New Bisphenol A Reports

The European Commission has asked EFSA to analyse the findings of the Anses reports and to assess any possible implications to EFSA’s previous scientific advice on Bisphenol A published in September 2010.

Oct 20 2011 --- The European Commission has requested EFSA to review two reports on Bisphenol A following their recent publication by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (Anses). Liaising closely with Anses, EFSA will analyse the reports in light of its previous risk assessment and consider the underlying reasons for any different views regarding the potential health effects of Bisphenol A. The final outcome of this work will be provided to the European Commission by the end of November 2011.

The European Commission has asked EFSA to analyse the findings of the Anses reports and to assess any possible implications to EFSA’s previous scientific advice on Bisphenol A published in September 2010.

In order to help inform this work, scientists from EFSA and Anses will meet in October to discuss issues such as: the research methodologies used in the reports; the selection criteria for the studies analysed; and any uncertainties with respect to the findings. The organisations will jointly prepare an account of the outcome of discussions, including any potential areas of divergence in their respective scientific work on Bisphenol A.

At its Plenary meeting on 20-22 November 2011, EFSA’s scientific experts on the Panel on Food contact materials, enzymes, flavourings and processing aids (CEF Panel) will review the scientific approach, the methodology followed and the data used in the Anses reports, and assess any possible implications for EFSA’s previous advice.

EFSA is closely monitoring the latest scientific information on Bisphenol A. To have access to the most recent data, the Authority has a specific contract with the University of Parma for the on-going screening and monitoring of the scientific literature on Bisphenol A.