NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Committee Probe Finds FDA Used Industry Studies to Approve Chemical in Infant Formula Liners

Dingell, Stupak Continue Investigation of Bisphenol A

Washington, D.C. – Leaders of the Committee on Energy and Commerce wrote the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to press for additional information on how the agency approved the use of the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) in products intended for use by infants and children.

The letter, signed by Reps. John D. Dingell (D-MI), the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Bart Stupak (D-MI), the Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, notes that FDA’s position on BPA’s safety appears to rely on two studies that were both paid for by the American Plastics Council.

“There is a wealth of scientific information available about the safety and health effects of Bisphenol A, yet FDA seems to have relied exclusively on two industry funded studies, one of which has not even been made available to the public for review,” Dingell said. “This raises serious concerns about whether the science FDA relied on to approve the use of Bisphenol A was bought and paid for by industry.”

“While many scientists have raised concerns about the safety of Bisphenol A, FDA seems to have relied only upon science paid for by the plastic industry’s lobbying group,” said Stupak. “Our investigation intends to examine how the FDA determined this chemical to be safe for use in infant formula cans and whether the FDA has properly evaluated all of the scientific data available.”

Some scientists have raised concerns that Bisphenol A could contribute to diabetes, cancer and obesity. In January, the Committee wrote to the FDA requesting information about how the agency had come to approve the use of Bisphenol A and conclude that no regulatory action was needed on the chemical. In February, the agency responded to the Committee, pointing to two studies funded by the American Plastics Council as a basis for their decision related to BPA. Only one of the two studies has been made available to the public.

In their most recent letter, the lawmakers ask FDA to provide the names of those who decided to base FDA’s assessment on the two studies as well as those who used the studies to determine the chemical was safe.

Read the letter »

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