FDA's inconsistent message on BPA
In public statements to the media, FDA officials are spreading contradictory messages.
Much of the coverage of FDA's handling of BPA has been good. For the most part it's accurate and there's been a lot of it. But, one aspect of this reporting that I feel is currently lacking are strong follow-up questions that explore and highlight the inconsistent message the FDA is sending out. Perhaps reporters should ask FDA officials whether they themselves try to limit their families' BPA exposure.
Quotes from FDA: “Right now, our tentative conclusion is that it’s safe, so we’re not recommending any change in habits,” said Laura Tarantino, head of the FDA’s office of food additive safety. But she acknowledged, “there are a number of things people can do to lower their exposure.”
For example, consumers can avoid plastic containers imprinted with the recycling number ’7,’ as many of those contain BPA. Or, said Tarantino, they can avoid warming food in such containers, as heat helps to release the chemical.
The entire article can be found here.
Why are reporters allowing the FDA to spread this inconsistent message? Either BPA is safe, or it is not. Should a government official be allowed to say, on the one hand, we believe this product is safe, but, on the other hand, consumers can do things to reduce their own personal risk?
