BPA-Free or Not? Pharmacist Warns of Potential Health Risks from Plastic Water Bottles

Title: Norwegian Health Concerns: High BPA and PFAS Levels in Children Raise Alarm, Skepticism Towards Normal’s Plastic Bottles

Norwegian pharmacist and Instagram influencer Torill Marita Andersen, known as ‘Instafarmasøyten’ with 40,000 followers, has raised eyebrows with her findings on the quality and safety of products sold by Norway’s discount retailer, Normal. In a recent Instagram post, she linked a report from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) stating that 99.6% of children have dangerously high levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) in their bodies, which she ties to Normal’s cheap plastic bottles.

Andersen is skeptical about Normal’s product vetting process. "I doubt they evaluate every single product they take in," she tells Nettavisen. "There’s no clear information on their website about how they assess their products either." She questions if Normal has a quality control department at all.

In 2023, FHI reported alarming levels of BPA and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in Norwegian children. Almost all the 669 tested children (99.6%) had BPA levels exceeding safe limits, while nearly a third had excessive PFAS levels. FHI senior researcher Line Småstuen Haug fears these substances, like PFAS, that accumulate in the body over time. She calls for societal interventions to reduce BPA and PFAS exposure.

BPA, according to FHI, is suspected of harming the nervous system, reproduction, behavior, and may affect weight and blood sugar regulation. Normal’s landssjef Thomas Harsvik assures customers that their products are safe, stating, "All our products are approved for sale in Norway and conform to EU regulations." However, Andersen remains unconvinced, questioning the thoroughness of Normal’s product evaluation process.

Normal claims to have stringent quality checks, with clear limits on BPA and a ban on PFAS in food packaging since 2020. The company states that their quality control department works closely with suppliers to ensure products are safe. However, Mattilsynet (the Norwegian Food Safety Authority) asserts that the onus is on businesses to ensure products meet health standards, with regulatory oversight focusing on high-risk areas.

Photo Caption: Normal’s landssjef Thomas Harsvik (Photo: Erik Molland/Nettavisen)