Canned foods have been found to have high levels of BPA
The U.S. FDA recently found 71 out of 78 canned foods tested were contaminated with bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA. One can of green beans contained as much as 730 parts per billion of the synthetic hormone, which is usually found as a component in epoxy can linings. That level of concentration has been associated in laboratory studies with permanent toxicity. In the FDA testing, green beans, peas, chili and refried beans were the food products that contained the highest contamination levels.
The “safe” exposure level established by EPA, at 50 micrograms of BPA per kilogram of body weight per day (50 ug/kg/d), is considered up to 25 times higher than harmful levels. Establishing safe public levels continues to be concern, as BPA is known to cause harmful effects, specifically disrupting the body’s hormone system, since it mimics estrogen – even at low doses.
“Federal health agencies warn parents to limit their children’s BPA exposures,” Environmental Working Group’s senior analyst Sonya Lunder, M.P.H., said. “But with the chemical found in canned food, store receipts and even umbilical cord blood, we think that ‘buyer beware’ isn’t good health policy. Systematic protections for children are the only solution.” EWG has forcefully advocated for health protective safety standards to limit BPA exposures for infants and children.
Hundreds of animal and human studies have linked BPA to abnormal reproductive system development, diminished intellectual capacity, behavioral problems, reproductive system cancer, obesity, diabetes, early puberty, resistance to chemotherapy, asthma, cardiovascular system problems and other chronic disorders. Worker studies have shown lower sperm counts and other ailments of the male reproductive system.
