Growing consumer concerns about BPA (Bisphenol A), a chemical used in can linings, has led grocery giant Kroger to transition to BPA-free cans for its private label brands “as quickly as possible.” They are also taking steps to identify and remove other forms of food packaging that may contain BPA and plan to introduce non-BPA cash register receipt paper by the end of this year.

Evidence from animal studies indicates BPA may cause adverse effects such as obesity, behavioral changes, diabetes, early onset puberty, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, reproductive disorders, development of prostate, breast and uterine cancer. In some cases, BPA may permanently affect gene expression and those changes are transferred to future generations.

Research on humans found an association between BPA exposure during pregnancy and abnormal behaviors in children. In adults, increased BPA exposure has been associated with changes in hormone concentrations, sperm quality, and endometriosis. One study released last year suggested that the similarities in how women, female monkeys and mice metabolize BPA make the health effects of BPA in mice studies relevant to predictions of the health effects of human exposure to BPA.

Avoiding BPA is challenging as it is one of the world's highest production-volume chemicals, with more than 8 billion pounds made per year. It is used in plastics for making some baby and water bottles, linings of food and beverage cans, thermal paper for receipts, and dental sealants. Recent studies suggest that human exposure to BPA is much higher than some prior estimates and is likely to be from many still-unknown sources. (The chemical industry is not required to identify all products that contain BPA.)

Several states, including Illinois, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington, New York and Oregon, have passed bills to reduce exposure to BPA. There has also been mounting pressure to eliminate BPA in can liners and the North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA has acknowledged that the “race is on” to find an alternative. Unfortunately, the alliance predicts that we may be “years away” from a viable and safe solution.
Until BPA is eliminated or disclosed, here’s some ways you can reduce exposure to known sources of BPA:

1. Limit the amount of canned foods you eat.
2. Rinse canned fruits and vegetables before eating. When possible, choose fresh fruits and vegetables instead.
3. Limit the amount of canned beverages you drink.
4. Avoid using plastic food and beverage storage containers with the recycling code “7”on the bottom. Plastics with this code may contain BPA.
5. Avoid using plastic baby bottles with “7” on the bottom.
6. Decrease the use of all plastic food storage containers.
7. Avoid using plastic containers when heating food in the microwave. (High temperatures increase the chance of food absorbing BPA.). Use ceramic or glass dishes when heating food in the microwave.
8. Avoid canned infant formula. Instead, use powdered formula or liquid formula sold in plastic or glass containers.

Sources:

Food Production Daily.

National Institutes of Environmental Health Services.

Science Daily.

Science Daily.

Science Daily.