Warning! Canned Foods May be Hazardous to Your Health

What could be more convenient than opening a can of soup for a super fast, hot lunch? Canned foods have taken over our lives and our cabinets – providing a simple way to get lunch or dinner on the table quickly. But there’s a dark and dirty secret about metal cans that’s slowly rearing its ugly head. The lining of most metal cans has a thin plastic liner that contains bisphenol-A. Bisphenol-A, or BPA, is a chemical thought to increase the risk of infertility, cancer, diabetes, and even heart disease. Although the focus has been on BPA in plastic products, eating canned foods may provide just as much exposure to BPA as drinking out of plastic bottles or using plastic containers – maybe more. What are the effects of bisphenol-A in canned foods and why should you avoid them?

How Common is BPA in Canned Goods?

The Consumer Union recently tested nineteen different canned foods for bisphenol-A or BPA. The results are published on the foodquality.com website. They found that almost all of the canned foods they tested contained some BPA with canned soups and green beans containing the most. Compounding the problem is the fact that canned foods are stored in warehouses, on supermarket shelves, and on home shelves for long periods of time before being used which gives BPA more time to leech into the food.

BPA levels weren’t equal in all the cans they tested, but the level of BPA was so high in Del Monte Fresh Cut Green Beans Blue Lake that the maximum safe amount of BPA allowed by the FDA would be exceeded by eating one serving of the product. Imagine the dangers of canned food like this when they’re fed to children who are even more sensitive to the effects of bisphenol-A.

Canned Food Dangers: What Does the FDA Say?

Despite the apparent dangers of canned food, the FDA reiterates its belief that the amount of BPA found in canned foods poses no serious risk to health. Unfortunately, the dangers of canned foods are only part of the picture. Most people are exposed to unacceptable levels of bisphenol-A every day. BPA is found in many plastic containers and plastic drinking bottles, but there are other “hidden” sources of bisphenol-A including soda cans, dental sealants, and even credit card receipt paper. All of that exposure adds up.

Dangers of Canned Foods: What Are the Alternatives?

If you’re worried about the effects of bisphenol-A, but still want the convenience of using canned foods, explore what Eden Foods has to offer. They’re the only food company that uses BPA-free cans. Their products can be found at many organic and whole food grocery stores.

 The Bottom Line?

If you’re concerned about the effects of bisphenol-A and the dangers of canned foods, buy fresh or frozen fruits and veggies rather than cans or buy canned foods from Eden Foods instead. It’s a small change worth making.