The Commission has adopted a ban on the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials, due to its potentially harmful health impact. BPA is a chemical substance used in the manufacture of certain plastics and resins.

The ban means that BPA will not be allowed in products that come into contact with food or drink, such as the coating on metal cans, reusable plastic drink bottles, water distribution coolers and other kitchenware. The ban follows a positive vote by EU Member States earlier this year, and a scrutiny period by the Council and the European Parliament, and takes into account the latest scientific assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA notably concluded that BPA had potentially harmful effects on the immune system, and the proposed ban followed both a public consultation and extensive discussions with all Member States.

BPA is already banned in the EU for infant bottles and similar products. For most products, there will be an 18-month phase out period, and very limited exceptions where no alternatives exist, to allow industry time to adapt and avoid disruption in the food chain. The ban also includes other bisphenols that are harmful to the reproductive and endocrine systems.

Oliver Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health & Animal Welfare, said: “Maintaining high food safety standards in the European Union and protecting citizens is one of the Commission’s highest priorities. Today’s ban, which is based on solid scientific advice, will protect our consumers against harmful chemicals where they can come into contact with their food and drink.”

The European Commission’s latest EUROPHYT – Interceptions annual report provides an overview of interception notifications received in 2018 and evaluates the main trends over the period 2013-2018.

This annual report shows that in 2018 there were 1,712 interceptions by Member States and Switzerland due to the presence of harmful organisms, an increase of 16% from the previous year. Despite this increase, there is a reduction of 30 % in the number of interceptions since 2013.

The main non-EU country commodities intercepted due to the presence of harmful organisms were fruit and vegetables, particularly peppers, mango, basil, eggplant, citrus and various gourds. Regarding the organisms, the increase over previous years can be attributed to increased interceptions of Thrips, an increase in nematode interceptions from Belarus and increased Citrus Black spot interceptions from Brazil and Argentina. Regarding commodities, wood packaging material and cut flowers also contributed significantly to the interceptions but with no significant change on previous years. There is also a noted increase in interceptions of seeds imported without required certification.

Background:
EUROPHYT- Interceptions is the Commission’s rapid alert system for plant health used by EU Member States and Switzerland. Members use the system to notify the presence of harmful organisms and other plant health risks found in EU-bound consignments during import controls. The system is also an effective policy support tool for risk assessment and risk management. Based on EUROPHYT data, a Non-EU trade Alert List is published each month on the Commission’s Health and Food Safety website.

How much food do we waste on the farm, in manufacturing, supermarkets, restaurants and canteens and in households? In order to help Member States quantify food waste at each stage of the food supply chain, the Commission has established an EU measurement methodology that is published for open public consultation. Citizens and stakeholders have the opportunity to express their views on the proposed methodology, which will be open for feedback for 4 weeks. In drafting a common methodology to measure food waste levels in the EU, the Commission worked closely with Member States’ experts and also benefitted from the input and insights of actors in the food value chain participating in the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste. Thanks to the revised waste legislation, adopted in May 2018, specific measures on food waste prevention have been introduced which will provide the EU with new and consistent data on food waste levels. These data are needed by Member States to implement effective food waste prevention programmes and help guide the EU’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3 of halving food waste by 2030.

For more information on EU action to fight food waste

To participate, until 4th April, in the feedback mechanism

The EU Member State’s experts endorsed – on 22 February – in the context of a Standing Committee a European Commission’s proposal to prolong the emergency measures with specific import requirements for citrus fruits from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and Uruguay, and strengthened the import requirements for citrus fruits originating in Brazil, to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the European Union of citrus black spot (CBS). This measure sets out specific growing and inspection requirements for citrus fruits originating in those countries that had recurrent interceptions of CBS at the entry into the EU, with the aim to ensure that the fruits arriving to the EU are free from this disease.

The Decision on the prolongation and reinforcement of this emergency measure will be formally adopted by the European Commission in the coming weeks.

For more information on emergency measures on import of plants and plant products, see SANTE’s webpage.