A coalition of 22 organizations from 19 states in the U.S. and one in Canada banded together to do an analysis of canned goods. The goal of their study was to “determine to what extent BPA-based epoxy linings are still being used by major national brands and retailers in canned food linings, and whether these companies have policies in place to disclose and/or phase out its continued use.”
They analyzed the lids and interior of 192 cans gravy, soups, pastes and the results were alarming:
We expected that the explosion in consumer demand for BPA-free pack- aging would have resulted in swifter action by canned food brands and retailers. However, 67 percent of the cans tested (129 out of 192) contained BPA-based epoxy in the body and/or the lid.
More on BPA from Take Part:
Studies have linked BPA, a common additive in polycarbonate plastics, to endocrine disruption in fetuses and children, leading to sexual and reproductive development problems. Researchers have also tied BPA’s hormonal effects to increased risk for breast and prostate cancers, infertility, type 2 diabetes, obesity, asthma, and attention deficit disorder, leading to public demand for BPA-free products.
The U.S Food and Drug Administration maintains that “BPA is safe at the current levels” found in food containers and packaging. But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found detectable levels of BPA in 93 percent of people tested, causing some public health advocates to worry that consumers’ cumulative exposures are putting them at risk.
Some of the canned goods tested by the coalition were particularly bad, with Campbell's turning up as the worst offender in the study:
Toxic BPA Is Still Hiding in Many Popular National Brands of Canned Food
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Our analysis showed that, across the board, canned food manufacturers both large and small are not making good on their promises to discon- tinue use of BPA.
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In the samples we tested, 100% of Campbell’s cans (15 out of 15) contained BPA-based epoxy, even though the company claims to be making signi cant progress in its transition away from BPA.
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71% of sampled Del Monte cans (10 out of 14) tested positive for BPA-based epoxy resins.
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50% of sampled General Mills cans (6 out of 12, including Progresso and Green Giant) tested posi- tive for BPA.
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Although fewer cans were tested for these large companies, all 3 cans from McCormick & Company (Thai Kitchen) and all 3 cans from Nestlé (Nestlé Carnation) contained BPA-based epoxy.
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All of the cans sampled from 5 smaller brands also tested positive for BPA-based epoxy: Empire Company Limited (3 out of 3); Goya Foods (2 out of 2); Ocean Spray Cranberries (2 out of 2); Thai Agri Foods (2 out of 2); and Vilore Foods (2 out of 2).
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Although Campbell’s, McCormick and Nestlé have indicated their intentions to transition out of BPA use by 2016 or 2017, survey responses from Del Monte Foods, General Mills, Hormel and J.M. Smucker Company did not indicate a goal or timeline to move away from BPA can linings.
Campbell’s is now taking action to use an alternative epoxy:
The iconic US soup manufacturer, Campbell’s, has said that it will stop using Bisphenol-A (BPA) in cans by 2017, after the hormone-mimicking chemical was found in all 15 of its cans tested in a US survey.
The were was good news from other well-known manufacturers:
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Amy’s Kitchen, Annie’s Homegrown (recently acquired by General Mills), Hain Celestial Group and ConAgra have fully transitioned away from the use of BPA and have disclosed the BPA alternatives they’re using. No BPA-based epoxy resins were detected in any of the cans tested from these brands.
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Eden Foods reported eliminating the use of BPA-based epoxy liners in 95% of its canned foods and stated that it is actively looking for alternatives. No BPA epoxy was detected in the Eden canned foods that were tested.
The full results of the study can be found read here. Special thanks to the lead organizations involved: the Breast Cancer Fund, Campaign for Healthier Solutions, Clean Production Action, Ecology Center, Environmental Defence (Canada), and Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families’ Mind the Store campaign.