FSA opens consultation on BPA food packaging ban

Manufacturers commonly use BPA in household kitchen items and food packaging, including refillable bottles and the linings of cans.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a 12-week consultation on its proposal to ban Bisphenol A (BPA) and related chemicals in food packaging and processing materials.

The consultation, open until 24 December 2025, invites industry, consumers and stakeholders to give their views on the proposed ban and how it should be introduced.

The proposed action follows a recommendation from the FSA to prohibit BPA and similar bisphenols in food contact materials (FCMs), such as coatings, varnishes and certain plastics. The aim is to reduce long-term dietary exposure to these substances, which have been linked to health risks.

Manufacturers commonly use BPA in household kitchen items and food packaging, including refillable bottles and the linings of cans. Although only trace amounts may migrate into food or beverages, repeated exposure has raised safety concerns.

Dr James Cooper, Deputy Director of Food Policy at the FSA, said:

We’ve reviewed the latest science and evidence on BPA and agree that exposure should be reduced to minimise potential long-term risks to health, including effects on the endocrine, reproductive and immune system. That’s why we are proposing a ban on BPA and similar substances in food contact materials. We welcome all views on this proposal and how it could be implemented, before we advise ministers on next steps.”

The consultation will gather feedback on the scope, timelines and transitional arrangements for a ban.

Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food (COT) review findings

It follows a 2023 review by the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food (COT). The committee noted that, although it did not individually assess other bisphenols, they share structural similarities with BPA and raise comparable safety concerns.

As part of that assessment, the COT adopted a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.2 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day. This represents the maximum lifetime level of exposure to BPA considered safe.

Once the consultation closes, the FSA will review responses before submitting final recommendations to ministers, who will determine the chemicals’ future regulatory status.

The UK review comes as the European Commission has already taken decisive action. In December 2024, the EU adopted a ban on BPA in all food contact materials and packaging, building on an earlier prohibition in infant bottles. The EU ban, which covers coatings on cans, reusable drink bottles and water distribution coolers, includes an 18-month phase-out period with limited exceptions where alternatives are unavailable.

The FSA consultation is open until 24 December 2025. Interested parties can access the consultation page via the FSA website.