A few months ago, I blogged about how organic canned food is loaded with bisphenol-A (BPA) just the same as cheap canned foods from the supermarket. Why do we want to avoid BPA? This chemical is an estrogen mimicker which wreaks havoc on our hormones and is one of the prime suspects in the ever plummeting age at which young girls are going into puberty.
I read an article recently that as many as 10 in 100 white girls, 15 in 100 Hispanic girls, and 25 in 100 African American girls are experiencing breast development as early as 7 years old!
This is a shocking and serious problem not only because of the adult issues it forces upon mere children but also because of the fact that the earlier a girl goes into puberty, the higher her chances of breast cancer later in life.
BPA also harms boys by increasing the chances for ADHD, urogenital abnormalities, prostate problems, and lower semen quality as adults.
BPA is also linked with the obesity epidemic, Type 2 diabetes. The list goes on …..
Parents simply MUST take steps to protect their children from this chemical onslaught by choosing foods that will not disrupt the delicate hormonal balance during their formative years!
Which Organic Canned Foods are BPA Free?
The good news is that some organic canned food companies are switching to BPA free cans.
In one of my cooking e-classes last month, I mentioned Muir Glen as one of the companies that currently had BPA free cans.
Well, I stand corrected.
While Muir Glen is planning to transition to BPA free cans in the near future, its current can liner is not BPA free.
According to the company, Muir Glen cans have a 2 1/2 year shelf life so it “may be a while” before the BPA free cans are on the shelf.
Customer care representative Alexandria Richards claims that the new liner is “safe” and the new cans will be recyclable.
The company also states that the BPA free can labels will not mention that the can liner is BPA free.
This seems like a really dumb marketing move to me. BPA is a big issue for health conscious consumers. Wouldn’t it be smart for an organic foods company that makes the move to BPA free cans to TRUMPET this info on the label?
Since there is no firm date for release of the new Muir Glen cans and the BPA free cans won’t be acknowledged on the label, it seems to me that a switch to another organic food company that uses BPA free cans is wise.
In my shopping, I have switched to Eden Organics for the canned foods I do buy (which isn’t many). Eden Organics has been using a BPA free liner since 1999.
Don’t you just love a company like Eden Organics that makes the switch to BPA free cans just because it is the right thing to do and long before consumer pressure forces its hand which is how all the other organic canned food producers are behaving (yes, I’m talking about you Muir Glen)?
The steel cans used to package Eden Organics products are lined with a baked-on c-enamel that is made of a non-toxic mixture of an oil and a resin from plants such as pine or balsam fir. The downside is that products in BPA free cans cost more, so not only will the consumer have to pay more for the organic food inside of the can, but also more for the can itself!
ALL Organic Canned Tomato Products Still Use BPA
Please note that ALL organic canned tomato products, even Eden Organics, are still packaged in BPA cans. This is because the FDA has not approved a BPA free can for acidic foods as of yet although I am told that this process is in the works.
So for now, consumers must choose tomato products that are packaged in glass to avoid BPA. I’ve been using the brand Bionaturae for this very reason.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
* This post is shared at Real Food Wednesday and Pennywise Platter.
I use Eden as well. I didn't know that about tomatoes though. Good information, thank you!
Wow, I had no idea that canned foods had BPA. Thanks for sharing this post. I don't eat too many canned foods, but I do use some canned beans and tomatoes. I will have to make some changes.
That is a great tip, Kate. I buy my coconut oil from Trop Traditions and did not know they carried BioNaturae.
Anonymous, Native Forest coconut milk is BPA free. This is the brand I use.
Well, Tomatoes are so easy to blanch and store in the freezer during the summer tomato flood, I really see very little use for cans of it. I guess, Pizza sauce and a handful of other items kind of need the paste, but I'm sure there can be a work-around if one gets resourceful. I have actually done away with ALL cans in my home, and do not feel a lacking in any way.
Looks like we all need to become more self sufficient and produce our own tomatoes and other veggies in our own gardens. That's my plan anyway. :o)
I'm wondering which coconut milk cans are known to be BPA free. I recall hearing that Thai Kitchen cans do have BPA, but am wondering about Whole Foods 365 brand, and Native Forest.
I've been using Bionaturae for awhile now too. Glass is just safer and completely avoids the whole BPA issue. Of course, this year I'm trying to can all my own tomatoes so I don't have to worry about it. 🙂 I'm hoping to save serious money doing it! I've done probably close to 125 lbs. so far.
For those who don't know, when Tropical Traditions has free shipping, Bionaturae products are cheapest bought through them! I always bought a case on free shipping days.
I agree that it's a bad marketing move on Muir Glen's part. When I was picking up plastic food storage containers at the supermarket this week because the garden keeps producing, I stood there and looked for containers which advertised being BPA free.
I just made homemade ketchup today and used Muir glen tomato paste. (too bad it's got BPA for now!) I'm going to look into that glass jar brand! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.nourishingcreations.com
I buy Taste of Thai Coconut milk and noticed that their light version says BPA free on the can. The regular version does not say this so I wrote to them and asked about it. They told me that they are in the process of switching all their cans to BPA free.