Congress government in the US has introduced a new bill, 'Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2014', to ban the usage of toxic bisephenol-A (BPA) in food packaging, citing its role in disrupting hormones especially in elderly, pregnant women, children, and workers.
BPA is a synthetic estrogen that is used in epoxy linings to coat the inside of canned foods and beverages. Studies have found that the chemical leaches into the canned food products, forcing some companies to take it out of the linings of their containers.
In 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also banned BPA in baby bottles and children's sippy cups.
Environmental Working Group (EWG) government affairs director Jason Rano said science shows that BPA is present in the vast majority of Americans and is harmful to human health.
"It has been linked to cancer, obesity, diabetes, infertility, hormone disruption and early puberty in children. Congress is taking an important step on behalf of our most vulnerable populations to help reduce exposure to BPA," Rano added.
The bill, introduced by representatives Lois Capps and Grace Meng, would also force food and beverage manufacturers to specify warning labels on products containing the toxic substance.
It also mandated the FDA to review the safety of all materials that are deemed safe for use in food as well as beverage containers.
Consumers are also requested to look for products labeled 'BPA-free' or packed in glass jars or cardboard cartons, and not metal cans.
Meanwhile, EWG is recommending consumers to limit their intake of canned food and beverages.
