You may have seen that recentlysome of your favorite canned food – or even water bottles – have been labeled “BPA-Free”.
Have you wondered why? Well BPA, orBisphenol A, is a chemical that is used to make hard, clear plastic and alsoto line metal food cans to extend the shelf-life of canned food. The issue has recently arisen that BPA may not be healthy for humans. Youknow, minor details.
Many studies have come out saying that the epoxy coating that BPA creates has been linked to breast cancer, reproductive issues, cell damage, developmental problems,and more.
Despite BPA being labeled as safeby the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the early 60’s, in January 2010 the FDAadmitted that they had “concerns” about the potential effects of BPA. The concern was on the “effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children”.
This was enough to get the attention of many – and rightfully so. In fact, Canada was the first country to declare BPA a toxic chemical and ban it for food-related use.
Companies and brands throughout the U.S.made a promise to stop using BPA in their products and go BPA-free. However, a study done by the Environmental Working Group (EWG)in 2014 found that only 12% of the 252 brands surveyed were using BPA-free cans.
Here is a chart of companies still using BPA:
| A Taste of Thai | Food Club | Old El Paso |
| Andersen’s | Full Circle | Oregon Specialty Fruit |
| Armour | Gordon’s Chesapeake Natural | Pearls |
| Bar Harbor | Goya | Peloponnese |
| Bookbinders Specialties | Green Giant | Pet |
| Brooks | Healthy Choice | Progresso |
| Bruce’s | Herdez | Ranch Style |
| Bush’s | Hormel | Rao’s Homeade |
| Carnation | Hormel Chili | Red Gold |
| Casa Fiesta | Hunt’s Manwich | Red Pack |
| Cento | La Choy | Ro-Tel |
| Chef Boyardee | La Victoria | Rosarita |
| Chi-Chi’s | Libby’s Meats | Sacramento |
| Chincoteague Seafood Brand | Libby’s Pumpkin | Simply Asia |
| Clear Value | Lindsay Olives | Solo Foods |
| Coconut Milk by Andre Prost, Inc. | Lucky Leaf | Spam |
| Del Monte | Magnolia | Stagg Chili |
| Dennisons Chilli | Manischewitz | Thai Kitchen |
| Dining Out | Maria Callender’s | Tuttorusso |
| Dinty Moore | Mario | Valley Fresh |
| Duncan Hines Comstock | Market Pantry (Target) | Valu Time |
| Duncan Hines Wilderness | Matiz Gallego | Vancamp’s |
| Eagle Brand | Musselman’s | White House Foods |
| Early California | Nalley | Wolf Brand Chilli |
| Embasa | Neptune | Wolfgang Puck Organic Soups |
| Field Day | Ocean Spray | World Classics |
The issue still remains that there is no industry standard on the definition of BPA-free, so even though products are labeled as such, they may still contain the chemical.
And when asked by the EWG, some companies were vague about what they are using instead of BPA. Some, like Annie’s, are using a polyester material. And others, like Bumble Bee, are using a “blend of vinyl and polyester resin”.
And out of the 252 brands, only 31 were using BPA-free cans for all of their products:
| Ace of Diamonds | Gluten Free Café | Natural Sea |
| American Tuna | Healthy Valley | Pillar Rock |
| Amy’s | Health Valley Organic | Port Clyde |
| Beach Cliff | Imagine | Raincoast Trading |
| Bearitos | Jaunita’s | Read |
| Bionaturae | Jyoti Natural Foods | Seneca |
| Earth’s Best Organic | Kins Oscar | Sprouts Farmers Market |
| Earthpure | Lucini Italia | Tyson |
| Farmer’s Market | Muir Glen | Walnut Acres |
| Genova | Native Forest | Westbrae Natural |
So to be safe for now, it’s recommended that you limit or avoid using canned foods. When possible, buy fresh of frozen alternatives or products in glass or cardboard containers.
What do you think? Have you been purchasingBPA-free products or do you disagree with the findings?
Leann Forst, MBA, CHC — Family Health & Cancer Coach
Leann is a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, holding a Master’s degree from Drake University and a Bachelor of Science from Upper Iowa University. Leann is accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. And she is an award winning author of 2 books “How to Get Your Kids to Beg for Veggies” and “100 Ways to Lose Weight.”
Born and raised as an Iowa farm girl, she moved to Texas in 1998 where she lives with her husband and 2 kids.
As a wife of a brain cancer survivor, Leann has a special interest in anti-cancer nutrition and detoxification. She works with individuals and groups, and speaks regularly at hospitals, schools and organizations to teach people how to attain optimal health by getting to the root cause of chronic and inflammatory conditions, while using healing modalities such as essential oils. Click here to get my free report, “37 Cancer Facts You Should Know…But Probably Don’t”
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.
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FAQs
According to the announcement, the California-based group found high levels of BPA in Nike, Patagonia, Athleta, Champion and Kohl's leggings, Adidas, Nike and Champion athletic shorts, Fabletics athletic shirts and Sweaty Betty sports bras.
What products have the most BPA? ›
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics. It is found in various products including shatterproof windows, eyewear, water bottles, and epoxy resins that coat some metal food cans, bottle tops, and water supply pipes.
What products can BPA be found in? ›
BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as water bottles. They may also be used in other consumer goods.
What products are BPA banned? ›
A few states have eliminated BPA in infant formula cans, baby food jars, sports water bottles, and even thermal receipt paper. In addition, four counties (Albany, Schenectady, and Suffolk in New York, and Multnomah in Oregon) and Chicago have also adopted policies to regulate BPA in food packaging.
Is BPA-free still toxic? ›
You already know that “BPA” (bisphenol A) is bad for your children (and everyone else). You're probably looking for “BPA-Free” lunch boxes and water bottles. But "BPA-Free" doesn't necessarily mean safe. Science shows that some BPA-Free plastic is made of BPA substitutes that are just as harmful as BPA.
Is everything BPA-free now? ›
But in 2010, when safety concerns started making headlines, the FDA asked makers of baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula cans to stop using the chemical. So it's unlikely you have any baby items with BPA any more. Makers of many other water bottles and containers have voluntarily stopped using BPA as well.
How to get rid of BPA in your body? ›
BPA can be eliminated by supporting liver detoxification and cultivating a healthy microbiome with organic foods, antioxidants, and specific supplements. Research shows that BPA is excreted in sweat—exercise, sauna therapy, and adequate water intake support this pathway.
What is 100% BPA-free? ›
A product that is BPA-free is one that does not use the organic compound Bisphenol A in its construction. In the past, many plastic products such as baby bottles, plastic plates and cutlery, storage containers, and drink bottles have been made using BPA.
Is any plastic actually BPA-free? ›
There are different types of plastic containers that are labeled with a 1, 2, or 5, these are considered BPA-Free. Plastic products stamped with a 7 indicate a possibility that BPA was used to make the product. 1.
Do leggings have BPA in them? ›
BPA is used to make certain types of plastics and is widely used in almost every industry. At the time, they sent legal notices to each brand giving them 60 days to contact CEH's attorneys. Since then, they've found similar BPA levels in eight brands of athletic shorts and leggings, the CEH said.
Why do you maintain that the levels of BPA found in aluminum co*ke cans are safe? he clear scientific consensus is that there is no risk to the public fromthe miniscule amounts of BPA found in Coca-Cola or other beverage cans.
Is there BPA in Tupperware? ›
Since March 2010, items Tupperware sells in the US and Canada are BPA-free, according to its website.
How harmful is BPA in clothing? ›
Children, with their developing bodies, may be more susceptible to the potential negative effects of BPA exposure. Research suggests that BPA can mimic or interfere with hormones, which may lead to various health issues, including reproductive problems, developmental delays, and behavioral changes.
How long does BPA stay in your body? ›
Although BPA is fat-soluble and thus can accumulate in fatty tissues, animal and human data suggest it tends to be rapidly metabolized, with elimination thought to be virtually complete within 24 hours of acute exposure.
What food packaging contains BPA? ›
BPA is a structural component in polycarbonate beverage bottles. It is also a component in metal can coatings, which protect the food from directly contacting metal surfaces. BPA has been used in food packaging since the 1960s.
Do companies still use BPA? ›
Pushed by consumer concern, manufacturers have moved to replace BPA with alternative chemicals. According to the Can Manufacturers Institute , today about 95 percent of food cans are made without BPA-based linings, using a variety of other coatings, or polymers.
Is BPA banned in USA? ›
Food Additive Regulations Amended to No Longer Provide for the Use of BPA-Based Materials in Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups, and Infant Formula Packaging. FDA has amended its regulations to no longer provide for the use of BPA-based polycarbonate resins in baby bottles and sippy cups.
Which plastic is not BPA free? ›
Things You Should Know. Plastic products labeled with the numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 typically don't contain BPA; however, products labeled with 3, 6, and 7 likely do.
Is any plastic actually BPA free? ›
There are different types of plastic containers that are labeled with a 1, 2, or 5, these are considered BPA-Free. Plastic products stamped with a 7 indicate a possibility that BPA was used to make the product. 1.
