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Canned soup BPA study
2011-11-24

Liz Gyekye / PackagingNews.UK



NAMPA: Canned soup BPA study shows nothing new


A US study warning that a chemical used to line canned soup could leach into food is nothing “new”, according to the North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA).



Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) did tests on 75 volunteers and found that the compound bisphenol A (BPA) was readily ingested and detected in large amounts in the urine.

The findings were published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

NAMPA chairman Dr. John M. Rost said: “The presence of bisphenol A (BPA) as reported by this study gives consumers no new information about health effects from BPA exposure from canned foods.

“The presence of BPA in the urine does not indicate a health risk. In fact, what this study does confirm for consumers is that BPA is quickly excreted from the body through urine.”

The MPMA said it endorsed its US counterparts’ stance on the study.

Rost added: “The BPA exposure levels cited are not surprising, and in fact, are consistent with similar surveys of packaged food conducted within the past year by international government agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada.

“These government regulatory authorities, which are much more familiar with the benefits of epoxy resins and the limitations of alternatives for most canned goods, have consistently concluded that current exposures through canned foods do not pose a health risk to consumers, including newborns and infants.”

Controversial chemical

BPA, which is used to harden plastics, can be found in a range of items including CD cases, till receipts and food and drink packaging.

In March, the EU decided to ban the controversial chemical in baby bottles across Europe.

HSPH lead author of the study Dr Jenny Carwile said: “We’ve known for a while that drinking beverages that have been stored in certain hard plastics can increase the amount of BPA in your body. This study suggests that canned foods may be an even greater concern, especially given their wide use.”

BPA is used in cans as a coating to prevent rusting and keep the food fresh.

Because the chemical mimics oestrogen, many scientists believe it interferes with the way hormones are processed by the body.

Although several animal studies have shown it to be safe, others have linked BPA to breast cancer, liver damage, obesity, diabetes and fertility problems.

‘Scientific evidence’

The UK’s Food Standards Agency said: “The FSA bases its advice on the body of scientific evidence and the opinion of independent scientists.

“Our current advice is that BPA from food contact materials does not represent a risk to consumers but the Agency will be looking at this study, as it would at any new piece of work, to see if it has any implications for our advice to consumers.”

An MPMA spokesman added: “The safety of BPA has been thoroughly evaluated by many authorities worldwide and the food supply chain takes advice from these bodies, such as the UK’s Food Standards Agency. Based on numerous previous studies FSA advice is that BPA from food contact materials does not represent a risk to consumers.

“This latest study will need to be evaluated, as have many others before it, to understand if there are any implications for consumers.”

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