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October 15, 2010 – The Canadian government adopted an executive order1 placing bisphenol A (BPA) on the list of toxic substances under the Canadian Environmental Act.
In a press release2 Released on October 13, the Canadian Ministers of the Environment and of Health said they were adopting an attitude based on the precautionary principle in light of the worrying scientific data currently available, following a study 4-year program to assess the safety of bisphenol A. The physiological activity of BPA resembles that of estrogen, and scientists believe it may have carcinogenic properties and cause long-term fertility problems.
What is BPA? |
The Canadian government – which is a world leader – made the move despite pressure from the food and chemical industries, as well as from the Chinese authorities, who urged it not to set a binding precedent. For their part, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) continue to affirm that food packaging containing BPA does not represent a threat to human health.
It should be remembered that in April 2008, Health Canada announced its intention to legislate to ban polycarbonate baby bottles containing bisphenol A. This time, it is the use of this substance in all types of food packaging. found targeted. The inclusion of BPA in the list of toxic substances authorizes the Minister of the Environment to take measures to limit its use.
In addition, this ministerial decree now opens the door to possible legal proceedings: under the Canadian Environment Act, provincial governments, municipalities or citizens could now initiate legal proceedings against agri-food companies that would be the source of environmental contamination attributable to the use of BPA in its packaging.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to foodproductiondaily.com, CBC News and The Globe and Mail.
1. Order Listing a Toxic Substance in Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Canada Gazette, Part II. Flight. 144, no 21, October 13, 2010.
2. Government of Canada Takes Further Action to Protect Canadians from the Risks of Bisphenol A. Press release. Environment Canada. October 13, 2010.