NGO Report Update on BPA Levels in Canned Goods

Canadian food cans tested, results anticipated by brands

Summary of Issue

• Tomorrow, March 30, a new report titled Buyer Beware: Toxic BPA & Regrettable Substitutes in the Linings of Canned Food will be released by several nonprofit organizations on the presence of Bisphenol A (BPA) in food can linings.

• FCPC has received an advance copy of the research. It finds that of 192 U.S. and Canadian cans tested, 129 – or 67 per cent – contained BPA in the body and/or lid. Of the 21 Canadian cans tested, 18 – or 86 per cent – contained BPA.

• Finding BPA in certain canned products is expected since it is the material of preference for many canned products – and has been deemed as safe for this use by Health Canada.

• Environmental Defence Canada collaborated with U.S. based organizations on the study to test cans purchased from three major Canadian retailers: Loblaw, Sobey’s and Walmart Canada.

• Cans with BPA contained vegetables, beans, fruits, broth and coconut milk, said Environmental Defence Canada. It mentions several brands purchased in Canada and the United States that tested positive for BPA.

• All tested private label cans also contained BPA: No Name, Compliments and Great Value, it added.

• Environmental Defence Canada is calling on the federal government to ban the use of BPA in all food contact materials. However, it admits that the “safety” of most BPA alternatives is “not established” and warns consumers that BPA-free products could “contain unsafe substitutes.”

• Click here to read this morning’s Member Alert.

Background

• The groups who authored the report include Breast Cancer Fund, Campaign for Healthier Solutions, Clean Production Action, Ecology Center, Environmental Defence (Canada); and Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families’ Mind the Store Campaign.

• The safety of Canadians is the paramount priority of Canada’s food and beverage manufacturers. FCPC takes this issue very seriously.

• Current data compiled by Health Canada indicates that at current exposure levels Canadians are safe.

• Canada’s current regulatory system for BPA is one of the most stringent in the world, and FCPC member companies continue to work with Health Canada to ensure this is the case.

• In September 2012, Health Canada concluded that BPA levels are safe for the general public, well below the established Tolerable Dietary Intake (TDI) and do not pose a human health concern.

Next Steps

• FCPC issued the following statement to media.

• FCPC will review the report in detail when it is released and continue to monitor media coverage and the government’s reaction.  We will keep members informed of any additional developments on the issue.

• FCPC is working with the Retail Council of Canada and we are aligned in our messaging.

• FCPC has asked Health Canada for feedback on this new paper.