US Congress proposes to ban the use of bisphenol A in food containers

On 9 July 2014, the US Congress proposed legislation S. 2572 "Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2014" to prohibit the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in reusable food containers and other food containers that is packed with food .

The Secretary may only grant a waiver under the following situation: (A) demonstrates that it is not technologically feasible to--

(i) replace bisphenol A in the certain type of container or containers for such particular food product or products; or

(ii) use an alternative container that does not contain bisphenol A for such particular food product or products; and

(B) submits to the Secretary a plan and timeline for removing bisphenol A from such type of container or containers for that food product or products.

Any product for which the Secretary grants such a waiver shall display a prominent warning on the label that the container contains bisphenol A that states, "bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that can leach into food and may harm prenatal development and the health of children and adults". Any waiver granted shall be valid for not longer than 1 year. The Secretary may renew any waiver granted, provided that the Secretary reaffirms that it is not technologically feasible to replace bisphenol A in such type of container or containers for such particular food product or products or use an alternative container that does not contain bisphenol A for such particular food product or products.

There is no limit requirement for bisphenol A in this proposed legislation. Our Report Limit(RL) of bisphenol A is 0.1ppm.

The above takes effect 180 days after the date of enactment.