30 April 2010 — We continually hear about how bad bisphenol A (BPA) is for everybody and particularly for infants and pregnant women. The evidence is there. For those still skeptical, the precautionary principle dictates that you should be cautious. It is mind boggling that the food industry is so slow to remove BPA from the lining of food cans. Fortunately, some food companies understand the problem and have switched to non-BPA linings for their cans. They do not necessarily advertise this fact on their cans, so you need to memorize this list! Here they are:
1) Eden Food: They have been using BPA-free linings in their cans for more than 10 years! How visionary! Although the cans cost 14% more, the company feels it is worth it. I think so too. While Jay and I generally avoid buying canned food because of BPA, we are happy to indulge in a good vegetarian chili with non-BPA canned beans once in a while. Unfortunately, Eden’s tomatoes are still offered in BPA-lined cans because of the acidic nature of tomatoes… So try and find a brand of tomatoes packaged in a glass jar. This is especially important because acidic food increases the deterioration of the BPA lining and thus increases its leaching.
2) Native Forest and Native Factor: All 14 products sold under this brand are packaged in BPA-free cans. Unfortunately, the company does not indicate this information on the cans.
3) Vital Choice: This company’s salmon, albacore tuna, sardines and mackerel come in cans with BPA-free liners. Unfortunately, last year, Consumers Union found some BPA traces in the fish products, likely because of the lid. The company is working at trying to solve the problem.
4) Oregon’s Choice: Its Albacore tuna comes in cans with a BPA-free lining, but it is still not offering its other products in such a can yet because of their acidity.
5) Wild Planet: It is offering its 5 oz. Skipjack tuna and its 5 oz. Albacore tuna products in BPA-free cans.
6) Eco Fish: It is currently packaging its Albacore Tuna in BPA-free cans and hopes to offer its salmon in such a can in the near future.
This information is taken from a Tree Hugger article published last month. For the full article, please see: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/03/7-bpa-free-canned-foods.php
Chantal Plamondon, Co-Owner
LifeWithoutPlastic.com