Health Minister Tony Clement in April announced a ban on the import and sale of polycarbonate baby bottles containing bisphenol A.

Bisphenol A — a chemical used to make some hard plastics — does not pose any human health risks, the European Union's food safety regulatory agency says.

The European Food Safety Authority said a scientific panel has found that adults and infants rapidly metabolize BPA and eliminate the substance.

"This represents an important metabolic difference compared with rats," the body said in a statement issued Wednesday.

"EFSA will continue to monitor closely scientific findings regarding BPA and any related health effects."

Studies in peer-reviewed journals have indicated that even at low doses, the chemical can increase breast and ovarian cancer-cell growth and the growth of some prostate cancer cells in animals.

Until recently, Health Canada had long maintained the chemical used in the manufacture of hard plastic water bottles, DVDs, CDs, and liners in cans did not pose a risk to human health. But on April 18, Health Minister Tony Clement announced a ban on the import and sale of polycarbonate baby bottles containing bisphenol A.

The EU acknowledged Canada's position on the chemical as well as tests conducted by U.S. agencies but noted the decision was based on limited evidence.

"EFSA took note of the U.S. National Toxicology Program's draft brief on BPA and of the Canadian government's recent Draft Screening Assessment on BPA, which took into account findings from the low-dose studies, notably with respect to neurodevelopmental toxicity, though both pointed out that these studies were limited in rigour, consistency and biological plausibility," the EFSA said.

Retailers in Canada including Mountain Equipment Co-op and Lululemon Athletica Inc. pulled products containing BPA from their store shelves in 2007 citing health concerns. Wal-Mart in April said it will phase out bottles containing BPA by 2009, while Nalgene Outdoor Products announced plans to discontinue use of the chemical.