Over 50 Associations Oppose a BPA Ban in Senate Food Safety Bill
On April 22, 2010, over 50 trade associations1 sent a letter to Senators Harkin (D) and Enzi (R), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee regarding the Senate’s upcoming consideration of the Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act (S. 510).
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In Favor of Bill in Current Form, But Oppose Amendments to Ban BPA
The associations state that they are prepared to support S. 510 in its current form; however, they express concern that amendments to ban Bisphenol-A (BPA) would undermine the goals of food safety legislation and delay final passage, and ask Senators to oppose such amendments.
(Press reports indicate that Senator Feinstein has filed an amendment to S. 510 which would ban BPA from food and beverage containers. See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/18/09 news, (Ref: 09031825), for BP summary of the introduction of House and Senate bills to ban BPA in food and beverage containers.)
Senators Urged to Allow FDA to Complete its Review of BPA
Currently, the Food and Drug Administration is reviewing BPA and is expected to complete a safety assessment within the next 18 to 24 months. In addition, the National Institutes of Health has devoted $30 million to study the safety of BPA.
The associations urge the Senators to allow the Food and Drug Administration to complete its review of BPA, rather than legislating a ban. The letter adds that their industries have stated that they will move quickly to address any consumer risks that the FDA or other competent regulatory authorities find.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 01/21/10 news, (Ref: 10012115), for BP summary of HHS (FDA) actions to address concerns about BPA. See ITT’s Online Archives or 06/04/09 news, (Ref: 09060420), for BP summary of House Energy and Commerce Committee’s request that FDA review its decision on the safety of BPA. See ITT’s Online Archives or 11/17/08 news, (Ref: 08111715), for BP summary of FDA subcommittee’s finding of flaws in FDA BPA draft assessment.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/21/10 and 04/14/10 news, (Ref: 10042170) and (Ref: 10041405), for BP summaries of the Senate’s plans to consider S. 510.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 11/23/09 news, (Ref: 09112310), for BP summary of S. 510 as ordered reported by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.)
1American Beverage Association, American Chemistry Council, American Frozen Food Institute, American Fruit and Vegetable Processor and Grower Coalition, American Iron and Steel Institute, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Association of Washington Business, Associated Oregon Industries, Beer Institute, California Canning Peach Association, California League of Food Processors, California Olive Association, Can Manufacturers Institute, Canned Food Alliance, Chemical Industry Council of Delaware, Chemical Industry Council of Illinois, Connecticut Business and Industry Association, Connecticut Retail Merchants Association, Georgia Beverage Association, Georgia Chemistry Council, Georgia Food Industry Association, Greater Providence (RI) Chamber of Commerce, Grocery Manufacturers Association, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, International Bottled Water Association, International Dairy Foods Association, International Formula Council, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Juice Products Associations, Louisiana Chemical Association, Maine Beverage Association, Maine Chamber of Commerce, Maine Grocers Association, Maine Merchants Association, Manufacture Alabama, Maryland Industrial Technology Alliance, Michigan Food Processors Association, Mid America Food Processors Association, Midwest Food Processors Association, National Association of Manufacturers, National Barley Growers Association, National Fisheries Institute, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc., Northwest Food Processors Association, Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council, Retailers Association of Massachusetts, Seafood Products Association, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, The Aluminum Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, West Coast Seafood Processors Association, and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.
Letter available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.