FAO/WHO to Hold Expert and Stakeholder Meetings on BPA

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization will hold expert and stakeholder meetings to discuss bisphenol A (BPA) on November 1-5, 2010, in Ottawa, Canada. Supported by the European Food Safety Authority, Health Canada, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the November 2-5 expert meeting will address the toxicological and health aspects of BPA, assess its safety, and consider alternatives to the ubiquitous plasticizer.

The November 1 stakeholder meeting will provide an opportunity for interested parties to present their views on specific questions, which will also be considered during the expert session. The main topics slated for discussion include (i) “General chemistry of BPA and analytical methods for detection in food”; (ii) “Occurrence of BPA in the diet, including studies on migration of BPA from food contact material”; (iii) “Metabolism and toxicokinetic studies of BPA”; (iv) “Toxicity of BPA based on animal studies, including studies performed according to OECD guidelines as well as research studies with other study designs”; (v) “Mechanisms of toxic action of BPA”; (vi) “Epidemiological studies”; (vii) “Exposure assessments of BPA from dietary sources”; and (viii) “Alternatives/replacements currently used, or proposed for use, and their potential risks to human health.” FAO and WHO have also made available an International Food Safety Authorities Network information note that summarizes the current state of knowledge on BPA.