ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF BISPHENOL A EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY AND POSSIBLE MATERNAL-FETAL IMPLICATIONS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the evidence regarding the association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods as a source of exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) during pregnancy and maternal-fetal health outcomes. An exploratory literature review with a qualitative approach was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases from April to July 2026. A total of 27 articles published between 2015 and 2026, in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, involving human populations, were selected. The results indicate that 90% of BPA exposure occurs through dietary intake, particularly from canned foods and products packaged in plastics. Contamination occurs when BPA migrates into food, with migration enhanced by conditions such as high temperatures and container wear. Bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF), which are used as substitutes for BPA in BPA-free products, have also demonstrated endocrine-disrupting potential. BPA has been shown to cross the placental barrier during pregnancy and is associated with outcomes such as fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, preterm birth, and alterations in fetal metabolic programming. It is concluded that frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods during pregnancy may represent a route of BPA exposure, highlighting the importance of nutritionists in promoting the consumption of fresh and minimally processed foods.