Re‐evaluation of the risks to public health related to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in foodstuffs

Abstract

In 2015, EFSA established a temporary tolerable daily intake (t‐TDI) for BPA of 4 μg/kg body weight (bw) per day. In 2016, the European Commission mandated EFSA to re‐evaluate the risks to public health from the presence of BPA in foodstuffs and to establish a tolerable daily intake (TDI). For this re‐evaluation, a pre‐established protocol was used that had undergone public consultation. The CEP Panel concluded that it is Unlikely to Very Unlikely that BPA presents a genotoxic hazard through a direct mechanism. Taking into consideration the evidence from animal data and support from human observational studies, the immune system was identified as most sensitive to BPA exposure. An effect on Th17 cells in mice was identified as the critical effect; these cells are pivotal in cellular immune mechanisms and involved in the development of inflammatory conditions, including autoimmunity and lung inflammation. A reference point (RP) of 8.2 ng/kg bw per day, expressed as human equivalent dose, was identified for the critical effect. Uncertainty analysis assessed a probability of 57–73% that the lowest estimated Benchmark Dose (BMD) for other health effects was below the RP based on Th17 cells. In view of this, the CEP Panel judged that an additional uncertainty factor (UF) of 2 was needed for establishing the TDI. Applying an overall UF of 50 to the RP, a TDI of 0.2 ng BPA/kg bw per day was established. Comparison of this TDI with the dietary exposure estimates from the 2015 EFSA opinion showed that both the mean and the 95th percentile dietary exposures in all age groups exceeded the TDI by two to three orders of magnitude. Even considering the uncertainty in the exposure assessment, the exceedance being so large, the CEP Panel concluded that there is a health concern from dietary BPA exposure.

Exposure to endocrine disruptors promotes biofilm formation and contributes to increased virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

“…Its use in food containers is banned in France but still under discussion at the EU level. In 2023, EFSA re-evaluated tolerable daily intake of BPA in food containers from 4 mg/kg/day to 0.2 ng/kg/day (EFSA, 2023). Use of phthalates such as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), must be less than 0.1% in electrical and electronic equipment, toys and childcare articles.…”

Bisphenol AF Induces Alterations in the Plasma Lipidome of Rats: An Untargeted Lipidomics Approach

“…As a result, human exposure to bisphenols can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact. , Previous studies categorized the Northeast Indian population into three groups based on environmental phenol concentrations in urine samples, allowing for analysis of associations with health outcomes . In pregnant women, BPA was found to be present in urine samples during the first and second trimesters at concentrations of 1.39 and 1.27 ng/mL, respectively, as reported by Chiu et al Additionally, similar to BPA, the presence of bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol AF has been detected in human urine, blood, and adipose tissue in studies. − The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has defined a tolerable daily intake (TDI) for BPA at 0.2 ng/kg body weight per day . Recent studies have demonstrated the detrimental effects of BPA and its structural congeners, including bisphenol AF, bisphenol G, bisphenol M, and bisphenol X, on microalgae species like Chlorella vulgaris and Desmodesmus armatus .…”

Endocrine Disruptors: Focus on the Adrenal Cortex

“…via continuous determination of tolerated intake doses (TDI). For instance, just very recently the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) proposed a TDI of 0.2ng/kg body weight/day for bisphenol A (BPA) illustrating the need for continuous research of potential health implications in order to control exposure to hazardous substances [22].…”