BPA & STYRENE

The laboratory has developed and validated new limits of quantification to adapt to the new toxicological data which will soon be cdonverted into more stringent specific migration limits:

• For the BPA Food Contact Center it has already validated the migration method with a quantification limit of 0,00015 mg/kg, a value indicated by Regulation 10/2011 for genotoxic substances.
• For the STYRENE Food Contact Center it is one of the few laboratories that manages to quantify it at ppb levels, necessary because after EFSA published the Risk Assessment not excluding the genotoxicity of the substance, the European commission intends to introduce in Reg.10/2011 a stringent specific migration limit. In 2018 the monograph by the IARC was published, in which styrene is classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2°). Since 2020, EFSA has continued to evaluate the impact of styrene genotoxicity on humans by collecting data from the toxicological studies carried out. Given the growing paid attention to styrene at an international level, the Food Contact Center has developed an ad hoc analytical method in various food to considerably lower the quantification limit in view of probable introduction of a more stringent specific migration limit. A study is underway for the definition of foods representative of broad categories of foods and preparations, useful for materials that can potentially come into contact with all types of foods. A study is underway for the definition of foods representative of broad catefories of foods and preparations, useful form materials that can potentially come into contact with all types of foods.

What is Bisphenol A (BPA)?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical substance used to produce plastics and resins, found in food containers, internal coatings of cans, and recycled paper.

Health Risks and EFSA Assessments

BPA can migrate from food-contact materials, posing a health risk. EFSA reduced the tolerable daily intake (TDI) from 4 µg/kg (2015) to 0.2 ng/kg body weight per day (2023).

The New Regulation (EU) 2024/3190

The new Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 establishes a ban on the intentional use of BPA in the production of FCM. Key updates include:

• Total Ban on BPA: Prohibited in all food-contact packaging and applications, regardless of intended use.
• Extension to Other Materials: Application to plastics, inks, rubbers, silicones, ion-exchange resins, adhesives, varnishes, and coatings.
• Limitations for Other Bisphenols: FCM made with other bisphenols or derivatives must not contain residual BPA.
• Specific Exemptions: For epoxy coatings in food tanks >1000 liters and polysulfone filter membranes, provided BPA migration is undetectable.

Transitional Period and Obligations

The regulation includes a variable transitional period depending on product use. Manufacturers must also provide the European Commission with a list of alternative substances used.

Solutions Offered by Food Contact Center and Food Contact Services

We offer a range of services to support companies in adapting to the new regulation:

• Residual BPA content verification with a detection limit of 1 µg/kg.
• Bisphenol screening according to Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 requirements.
• Verification of BPA and its salt migration with a detection limit of 10 µg/kg, compliant with proposed amendments to Regulation (EU) 10/2011.