Replacement of bisphenol A in food and beverage packing

Number

247-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Sector

Manufacture of food products
Manufacture of rubber products
Manufacture of plastics products, including compounding and conversion
Other

Function

Other

Process

Other

Product category

polymer ppaations and cimpounds

Application

Replacement of bisphenol A

Abstract

Bisphenol A can be replaced with polyamide, a resin based on oil extracted from plants or isosorbide depending on the application.

Substituted substances

Bisphenol A

CAS No. 80-05-7 EC No. 201-245-8 Index No. 604-030-00-0

Chemical group

Phenols

Classification: hazard statements

H360F May damage fertility
H335 May cause respiratory irritation
H318 Causes serious eye damage
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Other adverse effects

The substance is: on the OSPAR list of substances of possible concern, endocrine disruptor (SIN List), endocrine disruptor cat. 1 (EU EDC database) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).

Reliability of information

Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed

Reason substitution

CMR
vPvB
PBT
ED
skin/respiratory sensitizing

Hazard Assessment

Substance to be substituted: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH restriction list, according to Article 73 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006. (REACH Regulation). Alternative substance: The alternatives are not classified or listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC).

Description of Substitution

Bisphenol A (BPA)is a suspected endocrine disrupter. Ithas awidespread use in the food industry, with a risk of contamination of the consumers. Since 2010 BPA is not allowed in Denmark in products that get in contact with food and beverages for children aged 0-3 years.BPA is used in many different products like drinking containers,tins and screw caps. Different alternatives are needed for the different applications, and some alternatives are already on the market.BPA is substituted with:

  • Polyamide in baby bottles (Born Free) made oftransparent hard plastic
  • Tritan co-polyester in drinking bottles from Nalgene
  • Inside lining based on oil extracted from plants and resin (Eden Organic Beans)

A recently developed alternative for lining in tins is based on isosorbide produced from corn starch (Michael Jaffe, New Jersey´s Science & Technology University in corporation with Iowa Corn Promotion). Isosorbide can be obtained from other sugar containing materials as well. A suitable alternative is not yet found for BPA in cans for beer and soft drinks or inside lining in cans and caps of metal.

Case/substitution evaluation

BPA is very hazardous and classified as an endocrine disrupter, sensitiser and a toxicant to reproduction. The alternative substances are not classified. The specific alternatives are not known to SUBSPORTplus and a more detailed assessment is not performed.

State of implementation

In use

Producer/Provider

https://rgo.dk/navneskift/

Type of information supplier

Research

Further information

Jacobsen, S.B.,  Hansen, V.Æ. Kan Bisphenol A erstattes? Dansk Kemi, 92, nr4, 2011Jacobsen, S.B., Hansen, V.Æ. Can Bisphenol A be replaced. Article on Ecocouncil homepage.ANSES, Potential alternatives to bisphenol A, 2017 https://www.anses.fr/en/content/potential-alternatives-bisphenol

US EPA: Are BPA Substitutes Any Safer Than BPA? 2017 https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/are-bpa-substitutes-any-safer-bpa

Date, reviewed

November 26, 2021