Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that has been banned from baby bottles and thermal paper receipts in the European Union. Now it will also be banned from food packaging.
From July 2026, food wrappers and containers made from BPA or other bisphenols will no longer be allowed to be sold in the EU.
Bisphenol A is a chemical used to manufacture polycarbonate, a hard, transparent plastic, as well as epoxy resins. For example, such resins can be found in the interior coatings of food or beverage cans. These are designed to prevent the metal from rusting and leaching into food.
BPA can also be found in plastic films, printing inks, and adhesives. An average of 410,000 metric tons of BPA-containing products are sold in Germany annually, reports BUND, one of Germany’s largest environmental NGOs.
The new EU ban on BPA applies not only to single-use food packaging, but also to items like plastic water bottles, lunch boxes and kitchenware.
How does BPA harm our health?
When chemicals like BPA are used in food containers, small amounts of the substance can leach into our food and beverages. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), bisphenol A in particular is considered to pose a health risk to people of all ages.
According to the EFSA report, among other things, BPA may alter certain immune system mechanisms that could trigger asthma as well as autoimmune diseases. There is also evidence that suggests BPA may increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
However, most of all, BPA can interfere with our hormonal systems. This may impair male and female fertility or alter the onset or development of puberty. It has also been linked to some types of cancer.
The hormonal effects of BPA have been known for several decades. So, it’s no surprise that bisphenol A can mimic estrogen, a major female sex hormone. BPA was tested as a synthetic estrogen substitute in the early 1930s. Researchers eventually turned instead to the estrogen derivative DES (diethylstilbestrol), which has a similar molecular structure to BPA.
DES were used until the 1970s to treat pregnancy complications. However, it was discovered that DES increased the risk of breast cancer and childbirth complications in the mothers, as well as increased the risk of vaginal and cervical cancer in their daughters. Prescription of DES was banned in 1971.
EU and US studies show that BPA is found in most human bodies
European Environment Agency (EEA) studyBPA was found in the urine of 92% of adult participants in 11 different European countries. A study by the US National Health Agency Similar testing conducted in 2003–2004 found traces of BPA in 93% of more than 2,500 individuals.
There is no nationwide ban on the use of BPA in food packaging in the US. However, it removed the chemical from baby bottles and sippy cups in 2012 and from infant formula packaging in 2013.
Some states have banned BPA in thermal paper, and in California, products containing high levels of BPA must have warning labels.
In the European Union, EFSA has reduced the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for bisphenol A. From 4 micrograms to 0.2 nanograms per kilogram of body weight – levels considered safe for life.
Bisphenols such as BPA, as well as substances with similar effects such as BPF and BPS, are present in many common products, including dental fillings and synthetic fiber underwear. BPA is also found in air, dust, and water. Yet the risk of such chemicals entering our bodies is greatest when they are used in food and beverage containers. Therefore, pregnant women can pass these to their fetus through the placenta.
The EU is still not completely BPA-free
The European Union’s recent ban on BPA in food containers is the strictest to date in the world. Nevertheless, some exceptions and additional transition periods exist.
Food products in packaging containing BPA may be sold until existing stocks are exhausted, for example, to prevent food waste.
A transition period runs until 2028 for cases where no suitable BPA alternative is yet available such as cans with BPA-based coatings for acidic foods. This lining prevents the acid from corroding the metal and leaching into the material.
Bisphenol A can also leach into drinking water, especially when epoxy resins have been used to coat the inside of water pipes during renovation. These layers can become brittle over time, allowing BPA to end up in drinking water. That’s why it’s best not to drink hot tap water – the risk is much lower than drinking cold water. There is no danger in bathing with hot water.
How can we stay safe?
There is no EU requirement to identify products with BPA coating. And while some products are labeled BPA-free, it doesn’t rule out that other bisphenols may have been used in production.
By taking some precautions, we can still ensure the maximum possible protection. This involves cooking fresh food instead of relying on canned foods. Glass jars are better than cans. It is better to use wooden, glass or stainless steel kitchen utensils than plastic utensils. It’s also a good idea to avoid microwave-safe plastic dishes. When purchasing plastic utensils, look for items labeled bisphenol-free. Do not heat food in cans while camping.
Additionally, eating fiber can help cleanse our bodies, as they are known to bind toxins like PFAS chemicals and remove them from the body. However, whether a fiber-rich diet can help protect against bisphenol A has not yet been studied.
This article was translated from German