Healthy Living
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
BPA in your canned foods: Soup to avoid this cold and flu season
editor
A disturbing study by
Consumer Reports revealed the presence of the
chemical
Bisphenol A (BPA) in nearly all of the
name-brand canned foods recently tested in their labs, including
some that were labeled "BPA-free" and others labeled
"organic."
The FDA is considering how much exposure to BPA is safe after
studies have connected it to increased likelihood of developing
cancers, diabetes, reproductive problems, and heart disease. BPA
has been used as a liner for plastic, canned, and other food and
beverage containers. Manufacturers say
BPA is used because it withstands high temperatures and makes
plastics more durable. Unfortunately, this chemical
that has worked well for manufacturers is not serving consumers,
particularly small children and developing fetuses. BPA leaches
into foods, possibly causing health risks when it is ingested.
Consumer Reports points out that, although Federal
guidelines indicate that a maximum of 50 milligrams of BPA per
kilogram of body weight is safe, those standards are based on
studies conducted in the 1980s.
"[M]ore recent animal and laboratory studies indicating
serious health risks could result from much lower doses of
BPA," the report released in this month's issue
reveals.
Perhaps one of the most recognizable and trusted brands tested in
the Consumer Reports labs was Campbell's.
After Progresso Vegetable Soup, Campbell's Condensed Chicken
Noodle Soup topped the list, containing the most BPA
per serving of all the products reviewed. This is particularly
disconcerting news to hear at the onset of a cold and flu season
that already carries H1N1 and vaccination stresses.
What can you do in light of this new information about food
that is probably in the back of your kitchen
pantry?
- You can opt out of purchasing and consuming
canned foods until the FDA standards are revisited. If
that feels too extreme, especially during tight economic times when
canned food fits easily into strict food budgets, consider a family
ban on the products Consumer Reports
tested.
- Make and freeze several batches of homemade
soup to have at the ready if colds or the flu strikes your
family. Reheating frozen homemade soup is almost as easy
as reheating the canned variety.
- Keep yourself educated and aware.
Download the list of BPA-tested foods and keep it handy when
ordering groceries online or making up shopping lists. Full results
of the canned and packaged products tested by Consumer
Reports are
outlined here.
Will BPA concerns effect the soup you stock up on for
cold and flu season?
Related: consumer reports, canned and packaged foods, campbell's soup, bpa
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Posted by Katie B Thu Nov 5, 2009 1:03pm PST
Man that really stinks... because that is the only canned soup I like... I guess I will just have to find something else...
Actually, the Progresso Vegatable Soup had the highest amount at 22 micrograms of BPA per serving compared to the Chicken Noodle soup at 10.2 micrograms per serving according to the chart (though I could be reading it wrong too)... in any regard that is just too much.
I buy some of these other foods too, like the birds eye steamable vegetables... I didn't even think that BPA would be in anything but plastic bottles.... but knowing that it is in packaging that you cook in right out of the freezer kinda freaks me out.
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Posted by Jessica Ashley, Shine staff Thu Nov 5, 2009 1:20pm PST
Good catch, Katie B. I've updated the post to reflect that. And I agree with you that the BPA in packaged veggies is disconcerting as well.
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Posted by Katie B Thu Nov 5, 2009 1:33pm PST
No problem Jessica... I have been thinking for a while about growing some of my own food... and knowing that BPA is even in food packaging as well it's just conviencing me to do it... either that or make time to go to the farmers market and find a real butcher... :-/
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Posted by SoxFan Thu Nov 5, 2009 4:25pm PST
Thanks for that informative and disturbing news. Farmers market sounds nice, except if you live in the city thanks! Back to the organic and fresh foods in the markets thanks. Keep the info coming PLEASE.
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Posted by Hannah Thu Nov 5, 2009 5:06pm PST
You know what is more likely to kill you? Talking on your cell phone while driving, not wearing your set belt, and taking a fall in your bathtub. Good grief, I just see this as more scare tactics.
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Posted by another hockey fan Fri Nov 6, 2009 1:03pm PST
Katie: If you are a vegetable soup fan, try Wolfgang Puck's Organic Hearty Vegetable Soup. While I don't know about the BPA amount in his line of soups, it's hand's down the best (outside of homemade) canned veggie soup I've ever had!
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Posted by stormyriderxxx Fri Nov 6, 2009 3:01pm PST
This soup has so much sodium, I could taste the salt just by opening the can, not too good for the heart.
Just stick to natural homemade chicken soups.
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Posted by ScottS Fri Nov 6, 2009 7:27pm PST
this is a bunch of BS. i will continue to eat chicken noodle soup.
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Posted by Betspix Sat Nov 7, 2009 12:04am PST
i think it might 'affect' - but it is not going to 'effect' - and if you don't know the difference i don't know why you have a job here . . . ( i hate Puck's canned soups - taste like a yeast factory - very phony taste) - i like (love) Campbell's chicken corn chowder - it is one of the ready-to-eat, add-nothing ones (not cheap) . . . but it's about the only one - i use mushroom soup or cream of chicken once in a while for a recipe (also use the gumbo in a good sloppy joe recipe someone gave me) - sodium is a huge problem with all of the canned soups - i agree we'd do well to make our own - there are times when we are sick or in a hurry tho - b
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