Bisphenol-A (aka BPA) What is it? Where is it? Why do we care?
Last week, I posted a little video tour of my kitchen in which I made some remarks about BPA in canned foods. I’ve been receiving all kinds of comments and questions about this issue, so I thought I’d address it directly.
Bisphenol-A, commonly known as BPA, is a component of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It’s been the subject of much recent concern as studies have shown it to be an endocrine disruptor that builds up in our bodies over time. Low doses may cause chronic toxicity in humans, posing the highest risk to pregant women, infants, and young children.
Bisphenol-A only poses a risk if it leaches out of the resin and into our bodies. While much focus has been on polycarbonate water and baby bottles, there is a greater danger from the epoxy linings of canned foods because of the high heats at which they are processed.
BPA in Cans
NEARLY ALL CANNED FOODS CONTAIN BPA. This fact came as a surprise to some Fake Plastic Fish readers. To date, I am only aware of three brands of canned foods that have specifically found alternatives to BPA linings (thanks to FPF reader Christy B.) These brands are:
- Eden Organics beans. Note: Eden’s canned tomatoes do contain BPA.
- Henry & Lisa’s Natural Seafood
- Vital Choice
A December 26, 2008 article from Natural News confirms that as of this writing, these are the only BPA-free brands of canned foods.
There has been some misunderstanding about whether or not Trader Joe’s uses BPA in its cans because of some faulty information provided by its customer service reps. Trader Joe’s cans do, in fact, contain BPA.
And what about Whole Foods? They have eliminated BPA-containing bottles from their stores, but Whole Foods’ Statement on BPA does not mention cans. The writer of the Family Health & Safety blog published a response from Whole Foods about a year ago stating that there is BPA in their cans. I personally left a phone message on January 9 with Whole Foods corporate office about BPA lining in 365 Brand cans. (512) 477-5566 x20020. I have not heard back yet. I believe we can safely assume that until Whole Foods publishes otherwise, their 365 Organics canned foods do contain BPA.
What about glass jars?
While buying food in glass jars may be safer than metal cans or plastic containers, there is still a small BPA risk posed by the metal lids. Yes, it’s true. Most metal jar lids contain a BPA lining. Still, the surface to product ratio is minimal compared to cans. My own life is not so completely plastic-free that I won’t buy pasta sauce in glass jars with metal lids. But I just thought I’d mention this because if I don’t, one of you will!
BPA in plastic bottles & containers
BPA is a monomer in polycarbonate plastics, including hard plastic water bottles, baby bottles, the large bottles on the top of water coolers, and the container found on your Cuisinart and other plastic food processor, blender, and juicer containers. (In April 2008, Vita-Mix announced a new BPA-free model, but previous models do contain BPA.) This is why I have mostly stopped using my food processor and opt instead to use my blender with glass pitcher. (I do wonder what kind of plastic is in the bottom.) Other possible items made from polycarbonate are hard plastic drinking cups, plates, and bowls.
Brita pitchers, by the way, are not made from polycarbonate and do not contain BPA.
CDs and DVDs are also made from polycarbonate, as are eye glasses and other hard plastic items. However, since we don’t eat many of these, I think we’re safe. They do carry the pollution hazards of all plastics, of course.
Polycarbonate plastic carries the #7 recycling symbol. But not all #7s are polycarbonate, unfortunately. #7 is a catch-all for plastics that don’t fit into the first 6 categories, including bio-based plastics. The suggestion from consumer groups is if you are trying to avoid BPA, it’s best to avoid all hard #7 plastics unless they specifically state they are BPA-free. Still, you won’t know what else could be leaching from them, will you? My personal suggestion is to opt for glass whenever possible.
If you do choose to use polycarbonate, you can minimize your risk in several ways: don’t fill them with hot foods, don’t wash them in the dishwasher, and don’t scratch them or use harsh detergents or abrasives on them. Rough handling breaks down the plastic and can cause the BPA to leach more than it otherwise might have.
BPA in your teeth?
Scary but true. One of my Green Sangha friends shared with me that her daughter was subjected to a dental sealant treatment at school without my friend’s permission. Wow. Times have changed. Most dental sealants do contain BPA, as do some composite fillings. Scientists are divided about whether they leach and whether the amount of leaching is harmful. But BPA-free alternatives do exist, and you can ask for them.
I’ve had a few teeth sealed, and they probably do contain BPA. However, I was happy to learn last year that the hard plastic Invisalign retainers I put in my mouth every night do not contain either BPA or phthalate plasticizers, according to the company’s FAQ.
Further Information on BPA
Here are a few blogs that focus a lot of attention on the issue of BPA:
Non-Toxic Kids
The Smart Mama
Enviroblog
Hope this helps.
Muir Glen Organic canned tomatoes say right on the can “The lining of this can was produced without BPA.”
To follow up on the last comment, I wrote to LaCroix today and received the following email stating that they do use BPA in their cans, and while the company claims it is safe in the way they use it, I would not trust that.
Hi Beth,
We are committed to using ingredients and containers that meet or exceed all government health, safety and quality standards. Questions have been raised about bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used to make a type of plastic known as polycarbonate and epoxy resins which are sometimes used as can liners for food and beverage products. Our can suppliers rely on can linings, which may contain trace amounts of BPA, to protect food and beverages from direct contact with the can. However, these trace amounts are virtually eliminated during the curing process which results in the protective polymer coating. Our products are safe and pose no public health risk, including any alleged risk associated with BPA.
We’ve listened to our LaCroix fans and their concerns about BPA. We pushed our supplier partners to change their ways. We are in the throws of a major test and moving rapidly toward BPA free cans.
LaCroix Consumer Liaison Team
1800-834-9980
Hi Karen. Check out that thread again. Another poster says she contacted the company and found out the cans are not BPA-free. I sent her a message asking if she would be willing to forward me the response. Maybe you could ask her too.
Beth
La Croix Sparkling Water confirmed on their Facebook page that their cans are BPA-free.: https://www.facebook.com/LaCroix/posts/10150213906985856
The various research done on BPA does prove one thing: that continuous exposure to it can be harmful to health. So it is better to make sure that all plastic products one uses are BPA free.
Nowadays, one can easily find products like BPA free water and milk bottles, baby bottles, lunch boxes, containers, products for ones microwave, freezer or refrigerator, and even BPA free toys. So protect your health and that of your near and dear ones by using only BPA free products.
Can I recycle a broken Cuisinart bowl? What # plastic is it?
Thanks,
EB
Hi, Nicky. Actually, there is one brand of tomato paste I know of that comes in a glass jar: Bionaturae. I have seen it at Whole Foods and other natural foods stores.
You could also try making your own from sundried tomatoes if those are available. Sometimes I can get them from bulk bins. I haven’t done it yet, but it’s on my agenda. 🙂
And no, the BPA does not cook out. In fact, one of the problems with canned foods is that it’s canned at such a high heat that it causes the BPA to leach out of the can into the food.
I have a question. I love to cook things with tomato paste and different tomato sauces and I have gotten them in cans. I was wondering if because the tomato paste or sauce is in something that I cook does the BPA cook out?
I have been doing some webcrawling about BPA’s and found your site. Consumer Reports did a study on canned foods and found that even cans marked “BPA Free” had BPA’s. Also, cans that did not have the liners STILL tested positive for BPA’s. Even if companies are in compliance with the FDA, the FDA was bought long ago. The thing that really bothered me about what I found is that canned soups and even the little plastic containers of pasta with the metal lids that you heat in the microwave have high levels of BPA’s.
In my personal digging I have found 1 brand of tomatoes that are sold in cartons but I feel slightly guilty since they can’t be recycled. I have a lot of endocrine problems and am in a high risk group for breast cancer so I will be giving up all canned foods. We all vote with our dollars and since one company caught on with the tomatoes, more will too if we stop buying cans. Other countries have different food regulations so I’m looking for jarred foods in the international section of my local grocery store.
how do I find out if a soda can has BPA in it? We enjoy the cans of sparking flavored water, such as Klarbrum, an La Croix. I have felt pretty virtuous drinking these since they have no suger or artificial sweeteners. I would like to know how to research this…
Hi Susan. Actually, all soda cans have BPA in them. I switched to a soda maker to make ours at home. You can get flavor essences or syrups to add to it. Here’s info: http://myplasticfreelife.com/2008/07/my-happy-penguin/
Your statement about Trader Joe’s isn’t quite true. I contacted Trader Joe’s about BPA in their cans this week, and got the following reply:
from Web Customer Relations
date Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 9:55 AM
subject RE: Trader Joe’s Product Information Form
mailed-by traderjoes.com
Dear Mr. Bard,
Thank you for contacting us. Canned items in our stores WITH BPA lining in the cans would include: tomatoes, tomato sauce & paste, soups, chili, and stew.
Canned items in our stores that DO NOT have BPA lining in the cans include: seafood (tuna, salmon, herring, sardines, etc.), chicken, turkey & beef and now beans and corn. All of our products and packaging are within food safety guidelines and regulations. However, we also wanted to inform you that we do not have any plastic packaging with BPA.
Regards,
Nikki
Customer Relations