Lobbyists prevent Bisphenol-A ban

Corporations as consumer advocates? The European Food Safety Authority EFSA does not lower the bisphenol A limit. This is due to the strong influence of economic lobbyists on the actually independent consumer authority.

(18.11.2010) According to research by the MDR, the European Food Safety Authority EFSA is strongly influenced by lobbyists from global corporations. At ESFA, the lobbyists used by the corporations come and go or even fill important leadership positions. So, apparently, on pressure of the economy became the dangerous chemical substance „Bisphenol A“ re-admitted in an authorization procedure.

Bisphenol-A in short form BPA is suspected of acting as a hormone in the human body. Several studies have already shown that BPA can negatively affect the genome. The chemical bisphenol A is found in many everyday objects. Thus, BPA is mainly used for the production of baby bottles, pacifiers, food packaging, thermal paper, plastic bottles and many other other commodities. Again and again scientists and environmental organizations warn against the use of the harmful chemical. In many countries, such as France, Canada or Denmark, the substance was banned at least for children's products. In Germany and other European countries there is no such restriction. Despite adverse health effects, EFSA did not lower its BPA limit on 30 September. On the contrary, the chemical substance can continue to be used in high concentration in everyday products.

Background:
Study: Girls getting sexually mature sooner
Hormone-active chemicals threaten health
Federal Environmental Agency warns of chemical bisphenol A
Chemical bisphenol A found on receipts
Bisphenol-A causes infertility in women

Why are the health risks disregarded??
Here, of course, the question arises as to why the EU limit will not be lowered, despite warnings from doctors, scientists and environmental authorities. And that, even though the German Federal Environment Agency now warns against the use of the basic chemicals.

The public TV station MDR has made an amazing discovery in research. A review of the personal details within the European Food Safety Authority showed that the Hungarian Diana Banati is the President of the EFSA Management Board. At the same time Banati sat for a long time in the lobbyists Association "International Life Sciences Institute ILSI" in the Supervisory Board. The ILSI publishes itself in public as a non-profit association. However, the institute is mainly financed by global corporations such as Coca-Cola, Danone, Bayer and Nestlé. In addition to these corporations, the ILSI is also funded by the largest bisphenol A producers. The WHO leads this association on a so-called „black list“, because the institute mainly lobbies in the interests of large corporations operates.

For a long time Ms Banati was in a leading position of lobbyist association and at the same time president of the EFSA Management Board. After some public notices and protests, Ms. Banati initially admitted that she had one „Scientific Advice“ for the ILSI. Later, the EFSA President admitted that she also holds a top position in ILSI. In an effort to stop this apparent conflict of interest, Banati gave up the post in the EU. Currently, EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou is responsible for European food safety. But this two-track game is not an isolated case. According to research by the MDR Reporter, Ms. Banati is not the only person who „dancing at two weddings“. After MDR research, her EFSA board member Milan Kovac is still on the European ILSI board. At least three other key EFSA staff members were or are at the same time lobbyists, as the MDR reports.

Environmental agency and environmental protection organizations criticize lobbyists' influence
After these far-reaching findings, the influence of corporations is heavily criticized. Director of the Department of Environmental Hygiene, Andreas Gies, told MDR, "EFSA's independence is an urgent problem to solve." The Federal Government for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) also criticized these incredible events. In the opinion of environmentalists, the European authority is no longer independent, but interspersed with people who act in the interests of the economy.

Non-scientific study as „proof“ for the „harmlessness“ from BPA
These are all facts that prove that in the European authorities obviously very dirty not independently worked. Even more astonishing is the reason why the limit value of bisphenol-A has not been lowered. Especially for this a study was commissioned. This study was by no means conducted by an independent institute but commissioned by industry. Even the researchers were paid by the industry. For the study, experimental animals were used that respond less strongly to hormones. In addition, the study was conducted without a control group, although such an approach is considered a standard among scientists. For this reason, the scientist and toxicologist Gilbert Schönfelder of the Charité Berlin contradicts the questionable study results: In experimental studies, it was demonstrated that bisphenol A can disturb the male as well as the female reproductive system. And, for example, influence on the growth of the uterus, the size of the prostate, the size of the mammary gland and very clearly on the genetic material. "

Federal Government sees no reason to act quickly
In Germany, one does not seem to have major objections to the EU regulation. Finally, one accepts the questionable results to the detriment of consumers. Only in the spring should the results be checked again. Until then, the industry has enough time to come up with other strategies. (Sb)

Also read:
Bisphenol-A causes infertility in women
Study: Girls getting sexually mature sooner
Hormone-active chemicals threaten health
Federal Environmental Agency warns of chemical bisphenol A
Dangerous substances in soft drinks