By now, most of us have heard of bisphenol-A, or BPA. BPA is a hormone disruptor and chemical that has been linked in animal studies to cancer, infertility, diabetes and obesity. Troublesome BPA levels first created a stink in regards to water bottles and plastics. Now, canned foods are coming under fire for BPA, too. A recent report by the Breast Cancer Fund found that 12 canned soups and pastas contained BPA.
BPA is a key ingredient that is used in the resins used to coat metal cans, and according to the report, BPA can leach into the food. While a one-time exposure to BPA isn't that big of a deal, eating multiple servings from BPA-lined cans regularly could pose an issue. Of the cans studied, all were marketed to children, making the risk that much higher for smaller, developing bodies.
While canned-food manufacturers are promising its foods are safe, more research is being done. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has put $30 million towards studying the health effects of BPA, and the Food and Drug Administration is "facilitating the development of alternatives to BPA," according to its website.
In the mean time, you can reduce your levels of BPA from canned foods by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, and buying foods that are frozen and jarred in glass.