You’d think that consumer demand for BPA-free packaging would mean more canned food brands vying for safer options. Not according to a new report, Buyer Beware, by Environmental Defence and consumer advocacy organizations in the US.
The groups tested 192 cans and found that 67 percent still contained BPA-based epoxy liners. “Across the board, canned food manufacturers both large and small are not making good on their promises to discontinue use of BPA,” according to the report.
The most notable laggard? Campbell’s.
The company said in 2012 that it would be phasing out use of the estrogenic compound in its liners. Four years later, 15 out of 15 samples tested by ED contained bisphenol A. Trying to get ahead of backlash from the report, Campbell’s announced yesterday it is now pledging to be totally BPA-free by mid-2017.
Loblaw’s fared little better with 4 out of 5 cans testing positive. Meanwhile, 70 per cent of Del Monte and over half of General Mills cans tested (including Green Giant and Progresso) still contained the endocrine disrupting ingredient.
Health Canada banned BPA from baby bottles and infant formula tins in 2010, but maintains that the ingredient is safe for use in can linings.
Environmental Defence counters that hundreds of studies have linked BPA to breast and prostate cancer, infertility, obesity, asthma and infertility. Last spring, California officially classified BPA as a substance known to cause reproductive toxicity and come May 11, California food vendors will have to post warnings about bisphenol A linings in cans at checkout counters.
On the bright side, Amy’s Kitchen, Annie’s Organic (now owned by General Mills), Hain Celestial and ConAgra have eliminated the use of BPA. Eden Foods says they’re 95 per cent there on its canned foods.
The big glitch, according to the report, is that “brands could be replacing BPA-based epoxy with regrettable substitutes” such as PVC, made with carcinogenic vinyl chloride.
The coalition’s lobbying to have publicly disclosed safety data for BPA alternatives and on-can labelling around the presence of BPA and its alternatives. They’re also calling on the feds on both sides of the border to ban the use of BPA in all food contact materials.
In the meantime, what’s the most direct way of minimizing your exposure? Avoid eating canned foods, whenever possible. And wear gloves if you’re a cashier, those shiny receipts are laced with BPA, too.
ecoholic@nowtoronto.com | @ecoholicnation
