May be too early to draw anything from, but it looks like Congress is at least starting to consider doing something about FDA's disgraceful handling of the BPA issue until now -
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Bart Stupak sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg relating to the possible dangers of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in consumer products and food product containers, particularly in infant formula containers and other items used by infants and children. Chairmen Waxman and Stupak asked Commissioner Hamburg to reconsider the FDA's conclusion under the Bush Administration that BPA is safe at current estimated exposure levels.
"It is critical that we know for certain whether BPA is safe to use in consumer products and food product containers," said Chairman Waxman. "We need to make sure that FDA thoroughly and fairly reviews the best science on BPA so that the public - and especially infants and children - are protected."
Much new information has come out about BPA since FDA's decision last year, and none of it has been kind to the chemical and plastics industry. Nor, for that matter, has it been kind to FDA. Let's hope the new administration straightens things out on this.
Rep. Stupak also expressed concern about the Bush Administration FDA's interactions with industry during the approval process and beyond, while both Reps. Waxman and Stupak sent a document request to the North American Metal Packaging Alliance regarding the fear and smear tactics they are reported to be planning to use in their upcoming PR counterattack.
Here are the letters [pdf] sent to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, and to the world's leading BPA cheerleader, NAMPA Chairman Dr. John Rost. |
