Why Canned Food Is Dangerous

Food has been preserved in cans for nearly 200 years but beginning in the 1940s, manufacturers began lining cans with a controversial chemical, bisphenol A, or BPA. It leaches into food and poses health risks — ones you can largely avoid.

Historically, most of the concern about BPA has related to its use in plastics, especially baby bottles, and linings of cans containing baby food. The chemical mimics estrogen and interferes with normal development in children. Some governments, including Canada and Denmark, and some states and cities in this country have started to restrict its use in children’s products. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

A Problem for All Ages

A significant body of research has linked BPA to numerous health conditions, including breast and prostate cancer, infertility, early puberty, behavioral problems, heart disease, and diabetes. No age group is immune.

In 2008, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at BPA levels among more than 1,400 American adults between the ages of 18 and 74. Researchers found that those with the highest levels of BPA had triple the risk of heart disease, more than double the risk of diabetes, and abnormalities in three liver enzymes.

One of our chief sources of BPA is reusable water bottles made of polycarbonate plastic. These are labeled with a number 7 and “PC” on the bottom, but BPA-free versions are available.

Canned food is another major source. BPA levels in 50 canned foods from around the country were tested by a coalition of nonprofit organizations, the National Workgroup for Safe Markets. BPA was found in 92 percent of these foods, which included organic products from upscale stores.

The price, type of store where a food was purchased, the type of food, or the age of the can did not correlate with levels of BPA. The test results were published in “No Silver Lining,” a report available online at www.contaminatedwithoutconsent.org.

BPA-Free Alternatives

The pioneer in eliminating BPA, Eden Foods (www.edenfoods.com), has been producing organic beans in BPA-free cans since 1999, and states the fact on labels. More recently, other companies, such as Trader Joe’s, have used BPA-free cans for certain products without saying so on labels, so you have to ask the store. Vital Choice (www.vitalchoice.com) offers fish in BPA-free cans.

The widespread use of BPA may eventually decrease. Meanwhile, here are some ways to avoid the chemical by eating less canned food:

For home cooking:

• Choose fresh or frozen vegetables and fruit

• Try dried beans and peas (for cooking instructions and recipes, check out Bean Cuisine at www.beansforhealth.com)

• Buy soups and sauces in cartons (aseptic packages)

• Choose food in glass jars over cans (although jar lid linings may contain BPA)

• Choose tuna in pouches instead of cans

• Buy beverages in bottles or cartons

When eating out:

• In areas where you routinely eat in restaurants or buy takeout food, ask if any menu items are canned and, if necessary, ask for more fresh choices.

• Look for restaurants with salad bars and choose items that are obviously fresh.

Sometimes, it may seem inconvenient to make healthy choices. However, a little effort to replace your canned staples with BPA-free versions is an investment that yields healthy long-term returns.