Health Canada releases survey results of BPA exposure levels in canned foods

As part of its research commitment on bisphenol A (BPA), Health Canada released today the results of a new survey of BPA exposure levels in a variety of canned foods. The results from this latest government survey provide confirmation that foods packaged in BPA epoxy resin coated metal cans do not pose a health risk.

“that current dietary exposure to BPA through food packaging is not expected to pose a health risk to the general population, including newborns and infants.”

Health Canada officials confirmed their previous conclusion "that current dietary exposure to BPA through food packaging is not expected to pose a health risk to the general population, including newborns and infants." This same finding has been reaffirmed by other international food regulatory agencies in the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom and Australia-New Zealand.

"What is important about this latest survey from Health Canada is that once again, research conducted by a well respected international body has shown that the minute levels of BPA in canned foods do not represent any risk to consumers," said Dr. John M. Rost, North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc. (NAMPA) Chairman. "Equally important is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has no record of food-borne illness from a failure of metal packaging in more than 30 years, further testimony to BPA's vital role in food safety. This fact, coupled with today's information from Health Canada, raises serious questions as to why various legislative bodies continue to push for a ban on BPA use in food packaging."

Canadian government researchers determined that all levels of BPA found in the over 70 tested products were exceedingly low and all are well below the level established as safe for consumers by the Canadian government. NAMPA welcomes the latest Health Canada study, noting that these findings confirm industry's own research that shows BPA levels in metal-packaged foods are negligible.

The use of BPA in epoxy coatings in metal packaging provides real, important, and measurable health benefits. The coatings allow for heat sterilization of the food, and reduce the potential for the serious and often deadly effects from food-borne illnesses. Despite reports to the contrary, the simple fact is there is no readily available, suitable alternative to BPA-based can coatings that meets the essential safety and performance requirements for the broadest spectrum of foods now packaged in metal containers.