For decades, Bisphenol A (BPA) was one of the most widely used substances in the production of food packaging. Thanks to its unique properties, it enabled the manufacture of durable polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin coatings that protect metal food cans from corrosion while extending product shelf life.
However, as scientific evidence regarding the potential health effects of BPA accumulated, European regulations became progressively stricter. This process ultimately led to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, introducing an almost complete ban on the use of BPA in food contact materials across the European Union.
What is Bisphenol A and where is it used?
Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical primarily used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.
Within the food industry, its main applications have included:
- Internal coatings of food and beverage cans;
- Polycarbonate bottles and food containers;
- Certain plastic components used in food processing equipment;
- Printing inks;
- Adhesives;
- Protective coatings for materials intended to come into contact with food.
Epoxy resin coatings play a critical technological role by preventing metal corrosion, protecting food from contamination, and extending product shelf life. For this reason, identifying suitable BPA-free alternatives has become one of the industry's greatest technical challenges.
Why has BPA become a regulatory concern?
Small amounts of BPA may migrate from food contact materials into food and beverages, making it the subject of extensive toxicological research over the past decades.
Numerous scientific studies have indicated that BPA may act as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can interfere with the body's hormonal system. In addition, researchers have investigated its potential effects on the immune system, reproductive health, metabolism, and developmental processes.
In its latest scientific assessment published in 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that the immune system represents the most sensitive target of BPA exposure. Based on this assessment, EFSA significantly lowered the estimated safe daily exposure level.
How has EU regulation evolved?
The European regulatory framework did not change overnight. Instead, restrictions were introduced gradually as new scientific evidence became available.
2006 – Establishing the initial safety threshold
In 2006, EFSA confirmed a Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of 50 µg per kilogram of body weight per day, which was considered safe based on the scientific knowledge available at the time.
2011 – First restriction for infant products
The European Union prohibited the use of BPA in plastic baby bottles. At the same time, the Specific Migration Limit (SML) for BPA in plastic food contact materials was reduced from 3 mg/kg to 0.6 mg/kg of food.
2015 – Revised risk assessment
Following a comprehensive review of new scientific evidence, EFSA introduced a temporary Tolerable Daily Intake (t-TDI) of 4 µg/kg body weight per day, representing a more than tenfold reduction compared to the previous value.
2018 – Stricter requirements for food contact materials
Regulation (EU) 2018/213 introduced additional restrictions, including:
- Reducing the Specific Migration Limit to 0.05 mg/kg of food;
- Extending the same requirements to varnishes and coatings used in food contact materials;
- Prohibiting BPA in polycarbonate cups and bottles intended for infants and children under three years of age.
2023 – The most significant scientific revision
EFSA's 2023 scientific opinion marked the most significant change in BPA risk assessment to date.
The Tolerable Daily Intake was reduced to just 0.2 nanograms per kilogram of body weight per day—approximately 20,000 times lower than the temporary value established in 2015.
EFSA also concluded that estimated dietary exposure across all age groups in Europe exceeds this newly established safety threshold, providing the scientific basis for further regulatory action.
2024 – A new EU regulatory framework
In late 2024, the European Union adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, introducing very strict restrictions on BPA in food contact materials.
The regulation covers a broad range of materials, including:
- Plastics;
- Varnishes and coatings;
- Printing inks;
- Adhesives;
- Silicones;
- Rubber;
- Ion-exchange resins.
In addition to BPA itself, the regulation also extends restrictions to certain other bisphenols and their derivatives that exhibit hazardous properties, including substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction (CMR), or endocrine disruptors.
Transitional periods for industry
To allow manufacturers sufficient time to adapt, the regulation introduces transitional periods for specific products and applications.
For most food contact materials, the new rules will apply from 20 July 2026. From that date, non-compliant products may no longer be placed on the EU market.
Certain applications—including specific packaging for fruits, vegetables and fishery products, as well as certain external coatings used on metal packaging—benefit from extended transitional periods until 20 January 2028.
The regulation also allows existing stocks of empty packaging manufactured under previous legislation to be filled for an additional 12 months after the relevant transitional period expires. Furthermore, products lawfully placed on the market before the applicable deadlines may continue to be sold until existing stocks are exhausted, helping to prevent unnecessary food waste.
What does this mean for the food industry?
The new legislation represents a significant challenge for food manufacturers, beverage producers, packaging suppliers and the entire food supply chain.
Manufacturers of canned foods are particularly affected, as alternative internal coatings must provide the same level of corrosion protection, food safety and shelf-life performance as existing BPA-based technologies. Developing and validating these alternatives requires substantial research, investment and regulatory compliance.
At the same time, the new framework places greater emphasis on traceability, documentation of compliance and close collaboration between raw material suppliers, packaging manufacturers and food producers.
It is also important to recognize that a "BPA-free" label does not automatically guarantee a safer product. Scientific studies have shown that some BPA substitutes, such as BPS and BPF, may exhibit similar endocrine-disrupting properties. Consequently, European regulators are increasingly evaluating the entire bisphenol family rather than focusing exclusively on BPA.
Conclusion
The evolution of BPA regulation is one of the clearest examples of how scientific evidence shapes food safety legislation. Over less than two decades, the tolerable daily intake for BPA has been reduced from 50 µg/kg to just 0.2 ng/kg body weight per day, reflecting a profound shift in our understanding of its potential health effects.
For the food industry, the coming years will require significant adaptation through the adoption of alternative materials, investment in new technologies and strengthened regulatory compliance. While these changes undoubtedly present technical and economic challenges, they also create opportunities for innovation and for developing safer food packaging solutions that strengthen consumer confidence.
With the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, the European Union has established one of the world's strictest regulatory frameworks governing BPA in food contact materials. It is widely expected that similar approaches will gradually be adopted by other jurisdictions around the world.