Bisphenol A (BPA) Assessment
We take these inquiries and discussions seriously, and have developed the following assessment on the topic to assure any stakeholder focused on BPA that our products are safe and that our Company is being both proactive and ardently engaged with respect to packaging innovations.
The Coca-Cola Company’s Commitment to Offering Safe, Quality Products Ensuring the safety and quality of our products is an unending commitment for The Coca-Cola Company and our topmost duty to our consumers worldwide.
This includes a commitment to using safe packaging materials for our products around the world.
The Coca-Cola Company takes our commitment to using safe packaging materials very seriously.
We have rigorous standards and practices in place at each stage of our
beverage manufacturing process to ensure consistent safety and quality for all our
products and packaging.
All components of our containers that come into contact with our products undergo safety assessments and stringent testing and must be permitted for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) or other relevant health authorities in all of the countries in which our products are sold.
Coca-Cola Packaging and BPA
All of our products, regardless of the type of packaging used, are safe. Independent scientists have thoroughly reviewed the data and have assured us that our beverage cans pose no public health risk.
Our own scientists also have reviewed the data and are confident about our packaging safety. In addition, the scientific body of evidence has been reviewed independently by several government regulatory agencies throughout the world. These regulatory bodies have repeatedly stated that current levels
Our Company occasionally receives inquiries about the use of Bisphenol A, or BPA, in the inside coatings of the aluminum cans we use to package Coca-Cola beverages.
We have had many discussions with advocacy groups, consumers, shareowners, scientists, government regulators, elected officials, suppliers and others about aluminum can safety.
We have been very transparent with these stakeholders, disclosing to them all non-proprietary information.
Also, all of the information we can share at this time is available in this assessment and on the Company’s website. We will update this information if and when there are any significant developments.
Bisphenol A (BPA) Assessment of exposure to BPA through beverage packaging pose no health risk to the general population, including children.
BPA is a chemical used worldwide in making thousands of materials, including some
plastics, coatings, and adhesives. Virtually all metal cans used for food and beverage
products are lined on the inside with a coating that uses BPA as a starting material.
This coating guards against contamination and extends the shelf life of foods and beverages.
BPA is also used in the manufacture of shatter-resistant bottles, medical devices
(including dental sealants), sports safety equipment and compact disc covers. It has
been used for more than 50 years.
Aluminum can liners that use BPA are the industry standard and have been used safely
for more than 50 years. In fact, they have improved food and beverage safety by
providing protection against food-borne diseases.
Today, the only commercially viable lining systems for the mass production of aluminum
beverage cans contain BPA. These can coatings have been approved by regulatory
agencies worldwide and are the industry standard. They are safe, and we would not
use them if we had any concerns about them.
It is important to note that our bottled water and plastic soft drink containers are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, which does not contain BPA.
Aluminum Can Safety
The Coca-Cola Company is very aware of the highly publicized concerns and
viewpoints that have been expressed about BPA in recent years.
Our scientists, and the independent scientists with whom we have consulted, have
thoroughly reviewed the data and have assured us that our beverage cans pose no
public health risk.
In addition, government regulators around the world have reviewed
the science independently and have repeatedly stated that current levels of exposure to
BPA through beverage packaging pose no health risk to the general population,
including children.
Our top priority is to ensure the safety and quality of our products and packaging
through rigorous standards that meet or exceed government requirements. If we had
any concerns about the safety of our packaging, we would not use it.
Bisphenol A (BPA) Assessment
A number of studies and reviews conducted in 2010 and 2011, including one study
lauded by a leading endocrinologist as being “majestically scientific and cautious,”
support the prevailing evidence that BPA is safe for humans. Click here for information
about these studies.
The clear scientific consensus is that there is no risk to the public from the miniscule amounts of BPA found in beverage cans.
That consensus is accurately reflected in the opinions expressed by those regulatory
agencies whose missions and responsibilities are to protect the public’s health.
In 2010 and 2011, in response to the highly publicized controversy, some scientific and
regulatory groups decided to undertake their own reviews of the existing literature.
The German Society of Toxicology reviewed the complete body of research –
some 5,000 studies – and concluded that BPA exposure represents no
noteworthy risk to the health of the human population.
The Japanese National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and
Technology; the World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization
(WHO/FAO); and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also reviewed
existing research in 2010 and came to the same conclusion. Learn more about
the Japan, WHO/FAO and EFSA reviews.
Regulatory agencies in Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, New Zealand
and the United States all have conducted extensive reviews and determined that current
levels of exposure to BPA through food and beverage packaging do not pose a health
risk to the general population. We believe it is reasonable and appropriate to take the
lead from these agencies that regulate our business.
EFSA issued a statement in December 2011 reaffirming its position after reviewing
a report by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health
and Safety (ANSES) on BPA. EFSA noted that its risk assessment (which
includes a hazard assessment) was based on the question at hand — the safety of
BPA from foods – whereas ANSES conducted a hazard assessment only, which
included non-dietary exposure to BPA . Read the full EFSA opinion.
In addition, three new studies (described further below), including one lauded by a
leading endocrinologist as being support the
prevailing evidence that BPA is safe for humans.
“majestically scientific and cautious,”
Bisphenol A (BPA) Assessment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funded one study that showed people
intentionally fed diets with high BPA levels had lower levels of BPA in their blood
serum than are associated with potentially adverse health effects. (S.
Teeguarden, et.al. J.Tox Sci. June 2011)
The U.S. FDA funded a study that showed animals receiving levels of BPA
effects. (S Ferguson et. al. Tox. & Appl. Pharm. 2011: Funded by the U.S. FDA
provided additional evidence that when BPA is ingested, it is metabolized rapidly
to compounds that are biologically inactive. (D. Doerge et. al. J. Tox. Sci. August
2011: Funded by the U.S. FDA).
We will continue to monitor and assess the research, regulatory environment, consumer
and shareowner interest, and business impacts associated with BPA.
Alternatives To Can Liners Containing BPA
We continuously look for alternatives to improve our packaging, while maintaining its
safety and quality. That’s a good business practice that benefits our consumers, our
shareowners and our Company. We are balancing the need to address some public
perceptions of BPA with the need to be thoughtful, careful stewards of the safety, quality and performance of our products and packaging.
All packaging components that come into contact with food or beverages must undergo
safety assessments and stringent testing to be permitted for use by the U.S. FDA or
other applicable regulatory authorities.
New Studies That Support The Consensus That BPA Is Safe For Humans
In 2011, the results of three newly published studies reinforced support for the
consensus that current levels of exposure to BPA through food and beverage packaging
do not pose a health risk to the general population.
Research conducted at U.S. FDA’s National Cente r for Toxicological Research
comparable to Europe’s Total Daily Intake criteria had no adverse developmental
To that end, our chemists, toxicologists and packaging experts are working closely
with a network of packaging suppliers – which includes companies that make
aluminum beverage cans, companies that make liners for aluminum beverage cans
and companies that adhere the linings to the cans – that are all seeking alternatives to can liners containing BPA.
We also are working with leading-edge technology
companies and research organizations to develop innovations in can linings.
In addition, we are closely monitoring public policy discussions and developments and are working with various stakeholders and industry organizations to communicate about the scientific consensus on the safety of BPA.
Bisphenol A (BPA) Assessment
We are aware that a limited number of metal can producers are using an older
generation of can lining material as an alternative for some specialty products. Such
alternatives do not work for the mass production of aluminum beverage cans, and they
do not work for all types of food or beverages.
Efforts To Find A Replacement For Liners Containing BPA
We are confident that all of our packaging is safe. We also recognize that some of our
consumers and shareowners have expressed concerns and initiated campaigns to
legislate alternatives to can linings containing BPA. While we do not believe such
action would be based on sound science, our continuous improvement efforts in this
area will help ensure we are prepared for any eventuality so that we can protect our
business and our shareowner’s interests.
While we believe our role in this process is important, the metal packaging industry is
highly standardized and we are just one company involved in this process.
Any new material, assuming it has all necessary regulatory approvals, also would have
to meet our requirements for safety, quality, taste and performance. We would not
replace a packaging material we are confident is safe with one that is not proven or
effective.
The Coca-Cola Company does not make aluminum cans or epoxy liners – but we are
working with a number of packaging suppliers, leading-edge technology companies
and research organizations that are seeking possible alternatives. Any new packaging
would have to meet both regulatory standards for safety and our stringent
requirements for safety, quality, taste and performance, so it is important that we
work closely with them.
While we have been asked numerous times to share more information about these
efforts, information about status, timelines and materials and processes being
evaluated is proprietary to our suppliers’ businesses and to their suppliers, and we are not in a position to divulge it.
We have been considering more than a dozen possible options as alternatives to liners
containing BPA. Our Company chemists, toxicologists and packaging specialists are
working closely with their counterparts at suppliers’ companies and research
organizations to evaluate and test the safety and functionality of all options.
Bisphenol A (BPA) Assessment
Where can I get more information?
More information on BPA can be found on the following organizations' websites.
American Beverage Association
American Chemistry Council
American Council on Science and Health
European Food Safety Authority
Grocery Manufacturers Association
North American Metal Packaging Alliance
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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