Canned soup and BPA: a toxic hazard

Posted on Sun, 1 Jan 12

A tin of canned soup a day could increase your bisphenol A (BPA) levels by 20%. BPA exposure has been linked to obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that when some 75 adults ate fresh soup for 5 days 77% tested positive for BPA, but after 5 days of canned soup 100% tested positive for the chemical. On average urinary BPA levels rose by 20% after the canned soup versus fresh.

The investigators were reportedly shocked at the increase in BPA after the canned soup. Commenting on the findings researcher Karin Michaels said: "The magnitude of the rise in urinary BPA we observed after just one serving of soup was unexpected and may be of concern among individuals who regularly consume foods from cans or drink several canned beverages daily.”

BPA is used to line cans and is found in plastic packaging and bottles where it can migrate into food and drinks..

This study echo’s another recent report showing than an organic, no plastic packaging, no canned food “detox” diet significantly reduced BPA levels.

References:

1. Carwile JL, Ye X, Zhou X, Calafat AM, Michels KB. Canned soup consumption and  urinary bisphenol A: a randomized crossover trial. JAMA. 2011 Nov 23;306(20):2218-20

2. Roberts M. Eating canned soup 'poses a chemical risk. BBC news. 23 November 2011