Page 60 - Plastics News July 2026
P. 60
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
EU to Ban BPA in Food Packaging From July 2026
he EU will prohibit the sale of food pack- central concern is its effect on the body’s hor-
aging containing Bisphenol A (BPA) from monal system.BPA may reduce male and female
TJuly 2026, extending existing restrictions fertility and may influence the timing or progres-
on the substance beyond baby bottles and ther- sion of puberty. It has also been associated with
mal paper receipts according to reports from some forms of cancer.
German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle
(DW). Bisphenol A is a synthetic chemical used Within the EU, the EFSA has reduced the toler-
in the production of polycarbonate, a rigid, clear able daily intake for BPA from 4 micrograms to
plastic, and in epoxy resins. 0.2 nanograms per kilogram of body weight, a
threshold regarded as safe over
a lifetime, DW added. A transition
period lasting until 2028 will ap-
ply in cases where alternatives are
not yet suitable, including cans for
acidic foods that use BPA-based
internal coatings. These coatings
are used to stop acid from dam-
aging the metal and leaking into
the food.
California EPR Faces Shifting
Timelines and Lawsuits
These resins are commonly used as inner coat- California’s Extended Producer Responsibility
ings in food and drink cans to prevent metal (EPR) programs face shifting timelines and law-
from corroding and passing into the contents. suits. While the state’s Textile EPR (SB 707) re-
According to the European Food Safety Author- quired producers to register with Landbell USA
ity (EFSA), small quantities of chemicals such as by July 1, a 17-state federal lawsuit and regula-
BPA can migrate from containers into food and tory delays have disrupted the broader Packag-
drinks. The authority said that BPA is considered ing EPR (SB 54) rollout. While the Packaging EPR
a potential health concern for all age groups. (SB 54) implementation has faced prolonged
The ESFA also reported that the chemical may delays as implementing regulations weren't ap-
affect parts of the immune system, with possi- proved until May 2026. Now, a coalition of 17
ble links to asthma and autoimmune conditions. states is legally challenging the law, pushing pri-
Evidence also points to a possible higher risk of mary program obligations and comprehensive
cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. A enforcement timelines to January 2027. Also
64 PLASTICS NEWS July 2026
