Thai FDA Says PET Water Bottles Do Not Use BPA; Tests Find No BPA or Phthalates
Thailand’s FDA says PET drinking water bottles are not made with BPA. Tests of 30 bottled water samples detected neither BPA nor phthalates, while consumers are advised to avoid prolonged heat exposure and repeated bottle reuse.
BANGKOK — Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) has clarified concerns over social media claims that drinking water from plastic bottles left in hot cars or exposed to sunlight could release cancer-causing substances, saying commonly used PET water bottles are not manufactured using bisphenol A (BPA). Tests of 30 bottled water samples also detected neither BPA nor phthalates.
Pichet Phuedkhunthod, M.D. Deputy Secretary-General of the Thai FDA, said information circulating on social media claiming that water stored in plastic bottles exposed to sunlight or left inside vehicles for extended periods could cause harmful chemicals to leach into the water and cause cancer may lead to public misunderstanding.
The agency explained that most commonly used drinking water bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and must comply with safety standards established under Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health regulations for plastic food containers.
These requirements include controls on the migration of substances from packaging into food or beverages to ensure that food-contact containers are safe for consumers.
PET Water Bottles Are Not Made With BPA
The Thai FDA emphasized that BPA, or bisphenol A, is not used as a starting material in the production of PET bottles.
BPA is used in the manufacture of certain other materials, including some polycarbonate plastics and can coatings, but it is not a component used to produce PET plastic itself.
The clarification addresses a common misconception in which different types of plastic packaging are treated as though they contain the same chemical components.
Tests of 30 Bottled Water Samples Find No BPA or Phthalates
As part of its safety surveillance, the Thai FDA randomly collected 30 samples of sealed bottled drinking water and analyzed them for BPA and substances in the phthalate group.
“BPA and phthalates were not detected in any of the samples,” the agency reported.
The findings support the FDA’s clarification regarding concerns over BPA in commercially available PET-bottled drinking water.
Avoid Leaving Bottled Water in High Heat for Long Periods
Despite the findings, the Thai FDA recommends that bottled drinking water be stored under appropriate conditions.
Consumers should avoid leaving bottled water in direct sunlight or in areas exposed to high temperatures for prolonged periods.
According to the agency, heat may affect the quality, smell or taste of the water, as well as the condition of the packaging.
The recommendation is therefore aimed at maintaining product and packaging quality rather than suggesting that PET bottles contain BPA.
PET Bottles Should Not Be Reused Repeatedly
The Thai FDA also advises against repeatedly reusing single-use PET water bottles.
These bottles are designed and manufactured for single-use product packaging. Repeated reuse, particularly when bottles are not cleaned properly, may allow microorganisms and dirt to accumulate and potentially create hygiene concerns.
The agency said it will continue monitoring and regulating the safety of food-contact packaging in Thailand.
Consumers are also encouraged to verify health and food safety information circulating on social media with the Thai FDA or other reliable authorities before believing or sharing such claims.
Source : Thai Health Promotion Foundation
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