In an article published on May 17, 2017 by the non-profit organization Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SCHF), Mike Schade informed about the release of a new survey report focused on the use of bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7) in the organic coatings of food cans.
The survey was conducted by the non-profit organizations Center for Environmental Health (CEH), the Just Transition Alliance, and the Mind the Store campaign. The report’s findings are summarized in Table 1. The survey tested 252 cans in total, purchased from four U.S. grocery chains between January and April of 2017. The frequency of BPA occurrence in can coatings has declined compared to the Buyer Beware report where 67% of the products purchased in 2015 were found to contain BPA (FPF reported). However, BPA was still found in a significant proportion of the tested cans belonging to “many brands of . . . commonly eaten canned food products.”
Table 1. Survey results on U.S. food can linings
| Store name | Number of tested cans | Cans containing BPA | Cans containing PVC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albertsons | 69 | 36% | 17% |
| Kroger | 73 | 33% | 16% |
| Dollar Tree | 55 | 33% | 25% |
| 99 Cents Only | 52 | 52% | 17% |
Further, a new development was observed in that producers have apparently switched to substitute materials with “inadequate safety information” regarding their use in can coatings, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC).
The authors of the report urged the retailers and food brands to not only eliminate BPA from food packaging, but also to ensure that the substances used as its substitutes are indeed safe to use. They suggested that there should be a label on products, providing information on “all chemicals used in can liners, including BPA or BPA alternatives.”
Read more
Mike Schade (May 17, 2017). “New report: BPA still in 1/3 of Kroger & Albertsons food cans.” SCHF
SCHF (May 17, 2017). “Nationwide testing shows many canned foods still contain chemical linked to cancer, birth defects.”
Julie Watts (May 17, 2017). “New study shows quantities of BPA found in canned food still high.” CBS San Franzisco
Chemical Watch (May 18, 2017). “Can linings switch from BPA epoxies to PVC, say NGOs.”
North American Metal Packaging Alliance (May 30, 2017). “Canned food report misses the mark on key points.” (pdf)
Reference
Caroline Cox (May 2017). “Kicking the can? Major retailers still selling canned food with toxic BPA.” CEH (pdf)
