Consumer Reports Expresses Concern Over Canned Foods
In June of this year, I had written an article on the results of a Harvard study published in the May 2009 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives regarding the leaching of a chemical known as as Bisphenol-A (BPA) from polycarbonate plastic bottles. Bisphenol-A has been used for years in clear plastic bottles and food-can liners, but has only recently been a subject of significant attention as a result of concerns over its effects on human health. Specifically, high BPA levels have been found to be associated significantly with heart disease, diabetes, and elevated levels of certain liver enzymes (please see previous post for citations – link above). The Harvard study published earlier this year had confirmed that regular consumption of cold beverages from polycarbonate bottles is associated with a substantial increase in urinary BPA levels, irrespective of exposure to BPA from other sources.
BPA is back in the news this month as a result of recent testing of canned products. Consumer Reports’ latest tests of canned foods, including soups, juice, tuna, and green beans, have found that almost all of the 19 name-brand foods tested contain some BPA. The highest levels of BPA were found in some samples of canned green beans and canned soups. Here are some of the key results of the tests:
- Canned Del Monte Fresh Cut Green Beans had the highest amount of BPA for a single sample in Consumer Reports tests, with levels ranging from 35.9 parts per billon (ppb) to 191 ppb.
- Progresso Vegetable Soup BPA levels ranged from 67 to 134 ppb. Campbell’s Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup had BPA levels ranging from 54.5 to 102 ppb.
- Average amounts in tested products varied widely. In most items tested, such as canned corn, chili, tomato sauce, and corned beef, BPA levels ranged from trace amounts to about 32 ppb.
- Nestlé Juicy Juice in a can averaged 9.7 ppb of BPA, but there were no measurable levels in the samples of the same product packaged in juice boxes.
- Similac liquid concentrate (infant formula) in a can averaged 9 ppb of BPA, but there were no measurable levels in the powdered version.
- The canned organic foods tested did not always have lower BPA levels than non-organic brands of similar foods analyzed. Further, the tests also found the chemical in some products in cans that were labeled “BPA-free.”
There is still significant debate surrounding safe levels of BPA that may be ingested, or whether this chemical should be in contact with food at all. New guidelines vis-a-vis safety levels of BPA in light of new data are presently being worked out by the FDA.
MY COMMENTS
While the jury is still out regarding the final safety levels of BPA ingestion, I believe that there is significant epidemiologic data to merit caution with respect to BPA consumption. Previous studies have demonstrated that BPA exposure is significantly associated not only with heart disease and diabetes, but also has carcinogenic effects as it may produce precursors of breast cancer. Consequently, it is prudent to err on the side of caution with respect to levels of BPA ingestion and exposure.
HERE ARE SOME CRITICAL TIPS TO MINIMIZE YOUR EXPOSURE TO BPA:
1. Whenever possible, choose fresh over canned foods, beverages, juices, etc. Minimize the use of canned foods.
2. Do not heat food/beverages in plastics or expose plastics to hot liquids. BPA leaches out 55 times faster upon heating that it does under normal conditions.
3. Use only glass containers in the microwave for heating foods and liquids. Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers.
4. Avoid using all food and beverages from containers that have the numbers 3 or 7 listed inside the triangular recycle symbol on the package.
5. Read and stay informed! Most people overlook this last critical point. BPA research is an emerging field of study, and it is crucial to stay well-informed on a topic such as this one. Start by reading my previous post on this topic that summarizes results from key epidemiologic studies, and please forward this current post to all who may benefit from it.
