Bisphenol A (BPA - CAS 80-05-7) can be used in the food industry for the production1 :
- epoxy resins which form the basis of varnishes and coatings applied to the internal and external surfaces of metal packaging (cans, tins, jar lids, large tanks and vats) ;
- plastic materials and articles, including polycarbonate and polysulphone;
- printing inks, adhesives and other materials.
On 19 December 2024, the European Commission adopted Regulation 2024/3190 banning the use of BPA, its salts, other hazardous bisphenols and hazardous bisphenol derivatives in the production of food-contact materials and articles intended for the EU market (plastics, varnishes and coatings, printing inks, adhesives, ion-exchange resins, rubbers, etc.). These regulations will come into force on 20 July 2026. However, by way of derogation, articles that come into contact with foodstuffs may be placed on the market until 20 January 2028:
- single-use end-use products intended for the preservation of certain fruit, vegetables and fishery products;
- single-use end-use products to which a varnish or coating made with BPA has been applied only to the outer metal surface;
- reusable end-use products used as professional equipment for the production of foodstuffs.
By way of derogation and subject to the application of restrictions, the use of BPA, its salts, other hazardous bisphenols and hazardous derivatives of bisphenols is authorised as a monomer or starting substance for the manufacture of:
- liquid epoxy resins for application to self-supporting food contact materials or articles with a capacity greater than 1,000 litres;
- polysulfone filtration membrane assemblies.
Note: hazardous bisphenols or hazardous derivatives of bisphenols are listed in Annex VI, Part 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 due to their harmonised classification as category 1A or 1B ‘mutagenic’, ‘carcinogenic’, ‘toxic for reproduction’ or category 1 ‘endocrine disruptor’ for human health.