Canada to host BPA safety meeting next year

09 December 2009 17:16  [Source: ICIS news]

TORONTO (ICIS news)--Canada will host a World Health Organization meeting next October on the safety of bisphenol A (BPA), the country’s health ministry said on Wednesday.

The meeting in Ottawa will gather scientific experts from around the world with the objective of developing guidance for food safety regulators on potential risks in using BPA in food packaging materials, a spokesperson said.

"The government of Canada has taken a leadership role on the issue of bisphenol A in consumer products and food packaging, and we continue that leadership by hosting the World Health Organization for these important discussions," said health minister Leona Aglukkaq in a separate statement.

In particular, Canada remained committed to reducing exposure to BPA to infants and young children, she said.

As part of its efforts, the ministry has asked for a progress report from the food packaging industry on the implementation of measures to reduce levels of BPA in infant formula products, it said.

Last year, Canada banned BPA in baby bottles and labelled the chemical as hazardous, the first country to do so.

But other jurisdictions have different views. 

In California, for example, legislators in September rejected a proposed ban on BPA in children’s baby bottles, sippy cups and goods marketed toward children aged 3 and younger.

Further information on Canada’s BPA strategy is available on the ministry’s website.

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By: Stefan Baumgarten
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