Current and upcoming food regulation of Bisphenol A and Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons in Europe as a result of recent risk assessment activities

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical substance used primarily as a starting material for the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, widely used in construction and vehicle manufacturing, for DVDs or smartphones, adhesives or paints. Drinking bottles, food storage boxes or tableware can also be made from polycarbonate. Epoxy resins can also be used as internal coatings for beverage and food cans.

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) can enter the food chain via many different sources. There are intended uses for food contact materials, such as waxes or adhesives, as well as for food processing machinery, such as release agents and machine or lubricant oils. In addition, unintended contamination of food with MOH can occur e.g. from printing ink residues in recycled paper and board, from batching oils for jute or sisal sacks or from contamination of animal feed, crop products, cocoa and coffee through agricultural machinery or inappropriate drying processes.

Following EFSA risk assessment opinions on BPA (DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.6857) and MOH (DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8215) in food, the European Commission currently establishes or alters European food or food contact materials regulation of these substances. Thus, the use of BPA for the production of food contact materials was banned under Regulation (EU) 2024/3190. For aromatic MOH (MOAH), maximum levels in certain foods are planned to be established in the European regulation on contaminants in food (EU 2023/915).

The talk aims to briefly present risk assessment outcomes for BPA and MOH and describe the established or planned regulation measures in Europe as well as their possible impact and future developments.