Migration of Bisphenol A (BPA) into PET-Bottled Beverages: A Comprehensive Review and Bibliometric Analysis

The presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in beverages packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has attracted increasing attention due to its endocrine-disrupting effects and the controversy over its origin, since virgin PET does not use BPA as a monomer. This review aimed to analyze evidence on BPA occurrence in PET-packaged beverages, migration from PET itself, associated factors, analytical methodologies, and potential contamination sources. A literature search was conducted in Scopus following PRISMA guidelines, resulting in 60 studies analyzed using Bibliometrix (Biblioshiny), VOSviewer, and qualitative evidence synthesis. Publications increased markedly after 2020, with a thematic shift toward food safety, contaminant migration, and circular economy. Temperature, storage time, ultraviolet radiation, beverage characteristics, packaging composition, and recycled PET were identified as factors associated with BPA occurrence or migration. However, the available evidence does not conclusively demonstrate that BPA detected in PET-packaged beverages originates from the migration of virgin PET. Moreover, substantial heterogeneity in analytical methods, detection limits, sample matrices, and experimental conditions limits direct comparison of BPA concentrations and the strength of overall conclusions. Standardized analytical approaches and robust studies are needed to clarify BPA sources and support future risk assessment and regulatory decisions.