The Food Standards Agency (FSA) conducted a 12-week consultation on the proposed ban of bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues in food contact materials (FCMs) across England and Wales that concluded in December 2025.Food Standards Scotland (FSS) undertook a parallel consultation process within Scotland at the same time.
The main objective of these consultations was to collect both evidence and feedback from stakeholders to support regulatory decision-making, and in March 2026 the FSA announced a ban on the use of bisphenols in kitchenware, tableware, food transport containers and packaging.
The FSA was originally intending to coordinate its ban with counterpart EU legislation, which would have seen single and repeat use FCMs placed on the market after 20 July 2026 banned from onward sale in the UK, though repeat use FCMs launched for sale prior to this date would have had a 1 year ‘sell through’ period until 20 July 2027.
The Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA) however highlighted that immediate compliance would cause significant economic and environmental waste, pushing for a more manageable transition. The FSA has now changed its stance, confirming that until domestic legislation is introduced, there will be “no enforcement” of a BPA ban in Great Britain, though it remains committed to introduce the regulation at some point.
UK FSA (April 24, 2026). “Summary of Responses: consultation on the proposal to implement a ban on the use of BPA and its analogues in food contact materials.”
