State Regulators to Weigh Safety Warning for Caffeine
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee on Monday was expected to review eight chemicals for potential carcinogenic or reproductive health effects under Proposition 65, California's antitoxics law, the Sacramento Bee reports.
The law requires companies to post a warning on products that could cause cancer or reproductive harm. The list of chemicals is updated annually.
The committee was expected to review studies on:
- Caffeine;
- Bisphenol A, a chemical used in many plastic products; and
- Various pesticides and industrial chemicals.
Sam Delson, OEHHA spokesperson, said chemicals under review are being considered because of their potential reproductive toxicity and cancer risk, as well as because of widespread exposure among state residents. The state narrowed the review list to eight chemicals from a pool of hundreds.
The chemical and beverage industries maintain that BPA and caffeine are safe.
If the committee selects a chemical for further consideration, it will gather additional materials and launch an in-depth examination of available research. There also would be a public comment period and a public meeting before a chemical could be added to the list (Nguyen, Sacramento Bee, 12/10). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.