BPA in plastics & canned foods: What you need to know
Of 19 name-brand canned foods Consumer Reports recently tested for Bisphenol A (BPA), widely varying levels of the chemical were found across all products, including soups, juice, tuna, and green beans. For more information on our findings, read Concern over canned foods.
Following the study, Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, sent a letter to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Margaret Hamburg, with detailed results of our findings, reiterating our request that the agency ban the use of BPA in food- and beverage-contact materials. Read the press release.
BPA & YOUR HEALTH
Scientific studies suggest that BPA—a chemical widely used in food and beverage can linings, as well as in hard clear plastic bottles and food-storage containers—may cause harmful health effects from even common, low-dose exposures. Health effects BPA has been linked to include reproductive abnorbalities, a heightened risk of breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, and heart disease.
BPA BANS
Consumers Union has repeatedly called on the FDA to ban BPA in children’s products and food and beverage containers. While the agency announced in January 2010 that it now believes there is cause for concern over BPA's potential effect on children, and supports efforts to produce BPA-free baby bottles and find alternatives to BPA for can linings, it fell short of calling for a ban of the chemical in food contact substances.
Meanwhile, in May 2009, Minnesota became the first state in the nation to ban BPA from plastic baby bottles and sippy cups beginning in 2011. Connecticut, Chicago, Suffolk County, NY, and other areas have imposed similar bans.
At the same time, several plastic bottle manufacturers and retailers have vowed to stop selling BPA-containing products, and at least one BPA manufacturer has cut its production of the chemical in response to lessening demand.
BPA IN THE NEWS
FDA expresses "some concern" but fails to ban BPA 1/10
Industry reacts to Consumer Reports' BPA report 11/09
Concern over canned foods 12/09
Testing for BPA in canned foods 11/09
Industry plots BPA defense 6/09
Minnesota and Chicago ban BPA 5/09
Minnesota becomes first state to ban BPA 5/09
Major baby bottle manufacturers agree to ban BPA 3/09
A vote to ban BPA 3/09
FDA scheduled to update public on BPA 2/09
Canada pushes forward with BPA ban; will U.S. follow suit? 11/08
Inside CR test labs: Coffeemakers 11/08
Update on bisphenol A 10/08
Study finds more cause for concern over bisphenol A in plastic bottles, containers 9/08
New science on BPA meets outdated analysis at FDA 9/08
Baby bottles without BPA 8/08
How safe is that plastic container? 8/08
A new focus on plastic ingredients in bottles and cans 5/08
Canada may designate BPA a toxic substance 4/08
Q&A: BPA in baby bottles 3/08
Baby alert: New findings about plastics 5/99
PRESS RELEASES & PUBLIC COMMENTS
Consumers Union Disappointed with FDA's Action on BPA, Despite Admission of "Some Concern"
Consumer Reports tests find wide range of BPA in canned soups, juice, and more 11/09
Consumers Union's letter to FDA on BPA found in canned foods 11/09
Detailed table of BPA levels found by Consumer Reports in canned foods submitted to FDA 11/09
Consumers Union commends Minnesota for leadership in banning BPA 5/09
Consumers Union hails landmark enactment of legislation banning BPA in Suffolk County, NY 4/09
Consumers Union hails passage of landmark legislation banning BPA in Suffolk County, NY 3/09
Consumers Union urges FDA to ban BPA in children's products 12/08
Consumers Union's written testimony to FDA on BPA 9/08
Consumers Union & CFA: Materials made from BPA should not be used in food and beverage containers 9/08
RELATED LINKS
The Leonard Lopate Show, Please explain: BPA 2/10
NBC Today Show, Concerns about BPA in plastic bottles 1/10
ABC Good Morning America, BPA dangers in your pantry 11/09
CNN, New fuel for BPA debate 11/09
ABC World News Tonight, BPA found in 19 name brand foods 11/09
NBC Nightly News, BPA found in wide range of canned foods 11/09
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