WASHINGTON – FDA awarded a safety certification to a chemical, used in baby bottles, canned food and household item in spite of persistent safety concern from consumers and politicians.

The trace amounts of bisphenol A, that used in canned food are harmless to infants or adults. The agency acknowledged that still more research is needed to fully understand the chemical’s effects on humans, and said “there are always uncertainties associated with safety decisions.”

Bisphenol A used to harden plastic, seal canned food and in making of unbreakable bottles, is similar in structure to estrogen hormone. It is also used in hundreds of consumer products, ranging from sunglasses to CDs.

American Chemistry Council, which has defended the chemical’s safety, welcomed the FDA report.

“FDA is the government agency we rely upon to assess food-contact products. They’ve assessed this issue in great detail and their conclusion is very reassuring,” said Steve Hentges, an executive director with the council

But environmental groups were quick to criticize the agency’s conclusions, which they said relied on industry-funded studies.

“It’s ironic FDA would choose to ignore dozens of studies funded by (the National Institutes of Health) — this country’s best scientists — and instead rely on flawed studies from industry,” said Pete Myers, chief scientist for Environmental Health Sciences.

Myers said the agency ignored recent studies of bisphenol’s effects according to which, ”low amount of bisphenol can bring changes in behavior, brain and it may reduce birth weight and chances of survival in fetuses.” included in the National Toxicology Program’s April draft report.

Many lawmakers at home and abroad aren’t waiting for the agency to complete its review.

Canada is going to ban the use of the chemical in baby bottles, and state and federal lawmakers have introduced legislation to ban bisphenol in children’s products.