Mérieux NutriSciences Expands Service Offer to Identify Bisphenol A Levels

22 July 2013 --- Increasing concerns from international health authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regarding the possible risks of Bisphenol A (BPA), has resulted in an updated and extended assessment of BPA, available for public consultation from mid July to mid September 2013.

To assist clients in identifying Bisphenol A in food and food contact material, and support the quality of food contact materials, Mérieux NutriSciences is expanding its services offer.

This chemical substance has been present in many hard plastic bottles and metal-based food and beverage cans since the 1960s. However, several regulatory health authorities, such as EFSA and the FDA (US Food and Drugs Administration), have demonstrated concerns about the use of this material. According to two rapports from Anses (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety), launched last April, the BPA offers health risks especially for pregnant women and children.

Mérieux NutriSciences’ test methods allow the determination of BPA quantities in food, such as preserved fish products, sauces, canned vegetables and liquid simulants (oil, water, acetic acid solution and water-alcohol solution with a highly sensitive LC-MS/MS ) method, with a limit of detection of 0,3 mg/kg. The Company assists clients in choosing the right analytical solution, whether it is raw materials, production intermediates or finished products to ensure that their products comply with harmonized European regulatory standards and with the monitoring of potential contaminations as published by the European Rapid Alert System. The company can partner with packaging and food contact material manufacturers to assess risk and verify product safety with extensive experience in R&D and quality assurance.

In addition to testing levels of BPA in food and food contact materiels, Mérieux NutriSciences laboratories provide expert testing for many other food contaminants. Standard services include physical testing, extraneous matter and heavy metal (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) analyses. We employ approved methods for the detection of melamine, pesticides, mycotoxins, allergens, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Well-versed on international directives, our analysts help clients ensure their product meets import and export regulations throughout the global food supply chain.