OEHHA revises BPA warnings for Prop 65

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) reissues an emergency action on BPA exposure in canned or bottled foods or beverages superseding that published on 17 March 2016. The major amendment is the contents of warning labels.
 
It is intended to provide a "reasonable transition period to help avoid consumer confusion and at the same time provide consistent, informative, and meaningful warnings to consumers about significant exposures to BPA".
 
Compared with the emergency regulation published in March, this version of warning is more concise as revised as following to: "WARNING: Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to the State of California to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information go to: www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/BPA." Consumers can see common exposure routes, strategies to reduce exposure and other information via the website.
 
In addition, the regulation has also been amended to include an "'opportunity to cure' provision for businesses for what would otherwise be minor, unavoidable violations". An example would be a warning sign falling down.
 
There will be a five-day comment for the proposed regulation when it is filed with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). The OAL will be this Friday or next week. C&K Testing advises businesses should pay attention to the latest news and deal with challenges.