By: Tony Flood   Date: 9/22/11

A recent report, BPA in Kids’ Canned Food, from the Breast Cancer Fund has once again unduly thrust Bisphenol A back under the media spotlight. This fear-inducing report attempts to draw a parallel between the levels of BPA found in popular children’s meals and health effects from research involving laboratory animals. Currently the research that exists on health effects from BPA is based on animal studies or epidemiologic evidence that cannot conclude a causal relationship between BPA and human health risk.

Plainly, the science does not support the action of removing BPA from food and beverage packaging.  Additionally, the safety of our food supply could be affected were BPA removed before adequate research has been done on health effects from and effectiveness of potential replacements. 

BPA: Exposure and health effects
Based on what we know and what we have learned from years of data gathering from exposure studies for chemical contaminants, the current low levels of BPA in food and beverages are far below any level of concern.  Today, activists continue to allege that exposure to BPA can cause cancer and other health problems for our children.  However, expert studies consistently find no such effects given the low level of BPA exposure consumers receive.  A recent study by the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers definitive evidence that even with the highest levels of BPA exposure from canned foods, this did not lead to any detectable amounts in the blood stream.  This is important because it actually deflates the old myth that BPA exposure through the diet is harmful.

Experts agree, “It is virtually impossible to come in contact with an unsafe amount of BPA through our day-to-day living activities.”

BPA: No need for concern
It’s unfortunate that the recent report by the Breast Cancer Fund causes unnecessary concern for the hundreds and thousands of moms, parents and caregivers working hard to feed their families safe and nutritious meals.  The fact of the matter is that we enjoy one of the safest, most abundant and affordable food supplies in the world.  We have a strong regulatory system and dedicated food safety professionals who strongly believe in producing and delivering safe and nutritious food.  No food would be available unless it is considered safe to eat and serve to our children.  This report is another attempt to use food as a tool to advance yet another advocacy agenda that is not based on any relevant scientific data.

BPA: What it does & more information
BPA is a compound used in food packaging that helps preserve food quality and prevents spoilage.  It has been safely used in food packaging to extend shelf life and preserve flavor for over 40 years. For more in-depth information regarding what BPA is, why it’s used and what credible science currently says about its safety, please see the following resources:

• Science and the BPA Controversy
• Questions and Answers About Bisphenol-A (BPA)
• What Does the Current Science Have to Say About Bisphenol A (BPA)?
• Clarifying the Controversies: The Science of Bisphenol A (BPA)
• The FDA Speaks! An Update on the Safety of BPA
• BPA in Canned Goods: Can We Live With It?

What is your impression of the Breast Cancer Fund report, “ BPA in Kids’ Canned Food”?  Do these types of reports cause you to change your diet?