After the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) determined that bisphenol A (BPA) had potentially detrimental effects on the immune system, the European Commission adopted Regulation 2024/3190 on December 31, 2024, prohibiting using BPA in food contact materials.

“The decision extends the existing restrictions on BPA, which is already prohibited in the European Union for use in infant feeding bottles,” a recent USDA announcement reveals.

January 20, 2025, marked the effective date of Regulation 2024/3190. It states that BPA or its compounds cannot be used in the production of food-contact plastics, varnishes and coatings, printing inks, adhesives, ion-exchange resins, silicones, and rubber.

“BPA and its salts may be used in the manufacture of food contact materials and articles for very limited applications set out in Annex II of the Regulation,” USDA experts explained.

Phase-in Periods

Products made with BPA that are intended for single use and final interaction with food may be sold until July 20, 2026.

Final food contact articles manufactured using BPA may be placed on the market until July 20, 2028, if they are intended for the preservation of fruits or vegetables (except fruit juices) and fishery products.

Single-use final food contact articles on which a varnish or coating manufactured using BPA has only been applied to the exterior metal surface may be placed on the market until July 20, 2028.

“Additionally, single-use final food contact articles placed on the market in accordance with the Regulation may be filled with food and sealed during the 12 months following the expiry of the applicable transitional period. The resulting packaged food may be placed on the market until exhaustion of stocks,” USDA’s experts concluded.