The consumer association warns of the risks of these chemical substances in terms of endocrine disruption, particularly among young children and pregnant women.
In France, the use of bisphenol A is prohibited in all food containers. However, other bisphenols are used instead. It is about these that UFC-Que Choisir is sounding the alarm this Wednesday. The association calls for their ban.
According to her, these chemicals are as dangerous to health as bisphenol A, especially for young children.
Endocrine disruptors
Bisphenols are widely used in the manufacture of everyday plastic objects such as textiles, can coatings and toys.
UFC-Que Choisir, also based on studies conducted by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) or the European Food Agency (Efsa), warns of the risks of these chemical substances in terms of endocrine disruption “with serious potential risks for human health (miscarriages, sexual and reproductive dysfunctions, cognitive delays…)”.
Danger for babies
The UFC-Que Choisir found the presence of these compounds in gourds or baby cups or in teething rings.
“These are all the more at risk as they can be chewed throughout the day by babies”, writes the association.
“While endocrine disruptors are particularly harmful at the early stages of children’s development, it is scandalous that too many manufacturers have not yet taken measures commensurate with the potential risks induced by these compounds”, denounces-t- She.
In addition, the UFC-Que Choisir alerts on “the food products consumed by the mother”.
“Bisphenols continue to be widely used in plastic coatings for food containers,” the experts explain, citing food cans and soda cans in particular.
Prohibition “even in trace”
The consumer association deplores “particularly lax” European regulations on the subject, “since it is content to ban bisphenol A only for products intended for babies, ignoring food packaging”.
In France, bisphenol A is indeed prohibited, but the UFC-Que Choisir is campaigning for the prohibition of all other bisphenols used as a replacement. “The regulations allow significant levels of presence, whereas the ability of endocrine disruptors to act at very low doses would justify a ban even at trace levels,” she concludes.
