FDA Decision Over BPA Meant to Influence Ca Lawmakers?

Published on Aug 16, 2008 - 9:52:44 AM

By: Environmental Working Group

Oakland, Ca. August 15, 2008 - Environmental Working Group (EWG) Senior Analyst Renee Sharp issued the following statement in reaction to today's announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) claiming exposure to BPA from consumer products is safe for humans.

The announcement comes just days before the California legislature is poised to pass the first-ever ban of the toxic chemical in some consumer products used by children and under.

"The timing of the announcement by FDA raises eyebrows considering the California legislature is about to vote on a measure to remove the toxic chemical from some children's products. BPA has been linked to altered brain development, behavioral changes and prostate problems in animals and should not be used in any consumer products that could potentially leach into food and liquids, especially in products young children use every single day," said Renee Sharp, Senior Analyst with EWG. "We have long since lost faith in FDA's ability to be an impartial authority on BPA's safety. Time and again, FDA has sided with special interests instead of the public interest on this chemical."

"It appears that Congress has lost considerable faith in FDA on this matter, too," added Sharp.

Last spring, the House Committee with oversight of the FDA began investigating how the agency had evaluated BPA, after learning it had ignored over 100 published reports by government scientists and independent research labs, and instead relied solely on 2 chemical-industry funded studies that concluded the toxic chemical posed no risk to human health.

Website: www.ewg.org

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