Late last week, FDA's lead scientist asked the agency's science board to convene a subcommittee to study the effects of bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical commonly found in hard plastics and food containers. The science board is an advisory committee of non-governmental scientists who provide expert advice to FDA decision makers.

From the FDA press release, it appears as though the primary responsibility of the subcommittee will be to review an FDA task force report on BPA exposure and effects. "In April 2008, the FDA formed an agency-wide BPA Task Force to facilitate review of current research and new information on BPA," FDA says. After the subcommittee reviews the report this summer, "the task force will make recommendations" to the FDA commissioner.