Bisphenol A, a chemical additive also known as BPA that’s used as a plastic hardener and often found in the linings of cans and other food containers, is leaching into food in measurable, sometimes potentially dangerous, quantities, according to a report from the Consumers Union.

Children who consume large quantities of some of the canned goods could be getting BPA at levels that have been shown to cause harm in animal studies, the group said. Some studies have linked exposure to BPA to increased risks of cancer, diabetes and other health problems, and many companies have stopped using the compound in baby bottles for that reason.

BPA levels range widely

The consumer group, which has in the past called for the elimination of BPA in containers that touch food and beverages, found a wide variety of BPA levels getting into foods.

The highest concentration of the chemical in products it tested came from Del Monte Fresh Cut Green Beans Blue Lake, which contained between 35.9 and 191 parts per billion of BPA. Progresso Vegetable Soup had BPA content in the range of 67 to 134 parts per billion, while Campbell’s Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup had between 54.5 and 102 parts per billion of the substance.

Lower levels, ranging from just a trace up to 32 parts per billion, were found in canned corn, chili, tomato sauce and many other of the products tested.

Consumers Union also looked at BPA content in some infant formula and juice drinks and found that while Similac liquid concentrate had a BPA level of 9 parts per billion, there was no measureable amount found in the powdered form of the formula. Juicy Juice samples in cans averaged 9.7 parts per billion, but no measurable amount was found in juice boxes.

The group said even at these small amounts, given the high quantity of formula or juice many kids drink, their exposure could still be pretty high.

Alternative materials

For the most part, as that last example illustrates, it can be helpful to choose products that come in plastic or paper containers rather than cans if you want to limit your BPA exposure. Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup in a plastic container had significantly lower BPA levels than the canned soup, for example, and StarKist tuna in a pouch had no measurable BPA, compared to an average of 3 parts per billion in the canned variety.

But that wasn’t always the case. Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli in a plastic container with a metal peel-off lid had 1.5 times more BPA than the same food in a can.

The testing also found BPA in products whose manufacturers claimed their containers were BPA free.

Industry says BPA in cans safe

The American Chemistry Council says that the BPA levels found in food containers are “low and well within safety standards” and that 11 different regulatory agencies around the world have recently conducted studies on BPA in food containers and found the level of exposure to be safe.

The group says we should wait until the Food and Drug Administration is done with its study of BPA before any major changes in food packaging are called for. Back in 2008 the agency said the compound was safe in food contact situations.

Limiting exposure

If you don’t want to wait and think the level of exposure to BPA from food containers is too much to risk (for yourself or your kids), eat as much fresh, unprocessed food as possible, choose products that come in paper or plastic containers rather than metal cans, and use glass containers to reheat foods in the microwave rather than plastics.

(By Sarah E. White for CalorieLab Calorie Counter News)

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 and is filed under Food dangers, Food miscellaneous. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. Permalink.