BPA concern greater in canned goods (sorry, Chef Boyardee)
Posted by safeBABY on April 17, 2008
This week’s study by the National Toxicology Program put the spotlight on the potential health risks of BPA. But it seems everyone has latched onto the (polycarbonate) baby bottle connection and overlooked the fact that the lining of food and beverage cans (including infant formula) incorporate BPA-embedded plastic as well.
In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group, canned foods are thought to be the predominate route of BPA exposure, and instances in the womb and during early childhood hold particular risk. In some instances, a single exposure contained enough BPA to bring a woman or infant to levels more than 200 times the government’s traditional safe level for industrial chemicals.
In light of that, it would surely be prudent to avoid, as best as possible, canned goods. Read on for some alternatives to consider:
INFANT FORMULA: Bisphenol A (BPA) can leach from the lining of metal cans and lids.
Avoid: all ready-to-eat liquid formulas in metal cans; they have higher levels of bisphenola a.
Try: Powdered formula is a better bet. If you’re concerned about BPA, here’s what the Environmental Working Group says you should do:
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Your first choice should be powdered formula in a can with as little metal as possible, such as these brands: (Better) Nestle, Enfamil and Similac powdered formula (Good) Earth’s Best and Bright Beginnings powdered formula
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Second choice: concentrated liquid formula
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SOUP. The EWG’s study found soups contain the highest levels of BPA.
Avoid: all canned soups.
Try: Quick-and-easy recipes and make soup from scratch. Or, buy soup in aseptic cartons (below). The format is widely used in Europe and is growing here in the States. It’s pricier but you’ll also notice a taste improvement because aseptic cartons don’t have the high temperatures canned soups are exposed to in manufacturing.
BEVERAGES. Beverages appear to contain less BPA residues than canned foods, but glass is still a better option, when possible.
Avoid: canned beverages, when possible.
Try: beverages packaged in glass or PET plastic (recycling symbol #1) bottles. Here’s a fun list of regional soda brands packaged in glass.
CANNED PASTA. Also found to have high BPA levels from the EWG (sorry Chef Boyardee).
Avoid: canned pasta
Try: The alternative, in this case, is making your own: The quickest cooking pastas are angel hair and thin spaghetti.
VEGETABLES. Remember, all canned foods in the U.S. have BPA liners.
Avoid: canned vegetables.
Try: Buy fresh when the vegetables are in season. Or frozen, when they’re not. You’ll also end up with less sodium if you go frozen or fresh.
So, that’s just a short list to get you started. Be aware. Take extra precautions, particularly if you’re pregnant (or in baby-making mode), nursing or feeding infants and toddlers.
Am I crazy to predict a revival of home canning in our future?
April 21, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Eden Organics does not use any BPA in its can linings - you can read more about it at their website. So there is a safe canned alternative for things like diced tomatoes, canned beans, etc…
April 21, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Rachael, I don’t think that’s the case. Eden seems to be promoting one single product as BPA free, not its entire line.
I’ve made contact to clarify, but here’s copy direct from their website:
Eden Organic Beans are packed in lead free tin covered steel cans coated with a baked on oleoresinous c-enamel lining that does not contain bisphenol-A (BPA). (Oleoresin is a natural mixture of an oil and a resin extracted from various plants, such as pine or balsam fir). These cans cost 14 percent more than the industry standard cans that do contain BPA. This costs Eden $300,000 more a year. To our knowledge Eden is the only U.S. company that uses this custom made BPA-free can.
I’ll let you know what I hear.