Could the FDA have made a mistake claiming BPA is safe? Did ‘relationships’ with industry groups influence the FDA’s stance on BPA safety? This is exactly what Congressmen Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) want to know.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Congress has asked FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to “examine its relationship with industry groups. They also want the FDA to reconsider its assessment that the chemical is safe.” The JSOnline.com article continues “FDA spokesman Michael Herndon said Tuesday that the agency is expected to release a new decision on the chemical within “weeks, not months.” This is hopeful news.
“The federal investigation comes after the Journal Sentinel revealed Saturday that lobbyists met last week at an exclusive club in Washington to hammer out a public relations strategy to sell the benefits of BPA to the American public, including “befriending people that are able to manipulate the legislative process.” The group also discussed hiring a pregnant woman as a spokeswoman for the chemical, referring to such a person as the “holy grail” for the public-relations campaign.” http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/46772157.html
The Journal Sentinel discovered, through the Freedom of Information Act, that the FDA relied on chemical industry lobbyists to examine BPA’s risks.
“BPA, found in the urine of 93% of Americans tested, has been linked to heart disease, cancers of the breast and prostate, heart disease and hyperactivity. Used to make hard, clear plastic, it leaches into food. The FDA ruled last September that the chemical is safe.”
BPA is also used in the liner of canned foods, including canned pet foods. Currently, only the small cans of pet food are available without BPA in the can lining. Furthermore, only SOME pet food manufacturers have bothered to use cans free of BPA. If you are feeding your dog or cat a canned food, call the manufacturer and ask if the can lining is free of BPA.
Kudos to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper. Kudos as well go out to Congressmen Henry Waxman and Bart Stupak. Please don’t drop the ball with BPA! The FDA has shown pet owners time and time again its ‘relationships’ with industry, and its lack of follow through with directives from Congress. We can only hope that Congress stays on top of this issue.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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