Sponsored: Should I be concerned about BPA in can liners?

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Sponsored: Should I be concerned about BPA in can liners?

QUESTION: Should I be worried about BPA liners in cans and be buying BPA-free cans?

Answer: While some brands do offer BPA-free cans this is not commonplace and this is typically noted on the label.

Here are some facts about BPA.

1. BPA (bisphenol-A) has been approved for use as a liner for cans by the FDA since in the 1960’s.

2. Authorities in the U.S, Canada, Europe and Japan view the use of BPA as a food liner as safe.

3. Studies found that rats given 70,000 times what we would encounter eating canned products had no ill effects – “it was only when rats were given millions of times what humans would consume” could effects be called endocrine disruptors.

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4. Studies looking at BPA effect on different organs and different ages and stages of development found the only area of “some concern” were “effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A” for other ages/stages of development the concerns were minimal or negligible.

6. While BPA has been studied extensively, alternatives being used for “BPA-free” liners have not.

Sources: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/sya-bpa/

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/02/26/283030949/government-studies-suggest-bpa-exposure-from-food-isn-t-risky

Canned foods provide an economical and safe option for many, additionally cans can be recycled while other materials cannot. The use of BPA as a liner for cans has been extensively studied and is currently considered safe by the FDA. It is important for children and adults to eat a varied diet that includes fresh, frozen and canned foods like fruits, vegetables, proteins and grains.

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

twitter.com/InglesDietitian

facebook.com/LeahMcgrathDietitian

800-334-4936

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