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Bisphenol A, a chemical compound used in the production of plastics in contact with food, could be the cause of food intolerance in humans. Ubiquitous in our daily lives, this "endocrine disruptor" mimics the effects of human hormones and exerts effects on the immune system.

Researchers at INRA's Toxalim, Research Centre in Food Toxicology, in Toulouse (France) have shown that perinatal exposure of the fetus and newborn to low doses of BPA ingested by pregnant rats can affect the development of the immune function of the offspring and predisposes to food intolerance at adulthood.

• In the presence of a new foodstuff, such as ovalbumin (egg protein), the rat immune system will react by creating an intolerance to that food, explains Sandrine Menard and Eric Houdeau responsible for the study. These results confirm the decision of the French public authorities that have banned the use of BPA in food containers for infants in 2013, and all food packaging in 2015.
• Eric Houdeau, project coordinator, states "We are continuing our studies to understand more precisely the effects of bisphenol A on immune cells, we compare the effects bisphenol S and related molecules proposed as potential alternatives to bisphenol A, to assess their potential effects in the body and ensure their safety on health. "

> Read the INRA press release, 5/08/2014