The Truth About Canned Goods And BPA

By Isaac Fletcher, contributing writer, Food Online

Research has shown that BPA, a chemical sometimes used in canned goods, poses no health risk to the general population and is 100 percent safe for consumers

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is used in the production of polycarbonate and epoxy resins.  In food and beverage packaging, particularly in metal cans, epoxy resins may be applied to the inside of the can to prevent the food from making direct contact with the metal.  There is a possibility that food in cans with interiors coated with the epoxy resins could be exposed to small amounts of BPA, especially at elevated temperatures.  Concern over health issues caused by BPA, especially in newborns and young children, led some consumers to avoid canned goods — along with other goods in packaging containing BPA — altogether.

Throughout 2011 and 2012, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tested 403 samples of domestic and imported canned goods for BPA.  Items tested included fruits, vegetables, juices, beverages, legumes, pasta, and soups.  Imported items that were tested came from 15 different countries.  Results from these test showed that BPA was not detected in 98.5 percent of the canned goods tested.  In the samples that contained BPA — which amounted to only 6 cans — the amount found was miniscule.  In fact, the levels were so low that an adult would have to eat about 30 pounds of canned goods each day to come anywhere close to a dangerous level of exposure.  That’s about 50 cans of canned vegetables.

Health Canada, the department of the Canadian Government responsible for national public health, concluded that the current dietary exposure to BPA through food packaging is not expected to cause health problems for the general population.  This also includes newborns and young children.  The same conclusion has been reached by other international food regulatory agencies including those in the U.S. and European Union, re-affirming that trace amounts of BPA should not be cause for concern.

Avoid Loss Of Profits And Recalls In Canned Foods With Product Inspection Systems

Canned goods, including those lined with epoxies containing BPA, have a proven track record of protecting consumers, especially from foodborne illnesses.  Despite the concerns over BPA and the potential dangers of canned goods, there has not been a case of foodborne illness caused by canned foods in over 30 years.  Sales of canned foods remains strong, and reaffirmation by various government and scientific organizations regarding the safety of BPA means that consumers can better educate themselves on the issue and buy canned food with peace of mind.