Why you shouldn’t eat canned fruit and vegetables
Canned vegetables are practical and have a long shelf life. But an analysis by German consumer magazine «Ökotest» revealed that all canned corn products tested contain the controversial chemical bisphenol A. Read on to find out why this is a cause for concern and how you can protect yourself.
Canned corn, tomatoes and beans are widely used in many kitchens. Whether as an ingredient for chilli, on a pizza or in a salad, canned vegetables are versatile, quick to grab and can be stored for ages. There’s just one catch. The cans, and the products stored in them, contain the problematic chemical bisphenol A (BPA). And unfortunately in higher concentrations than is good for your health. This was the result of two studies by «Ökotest», which found questionable amounts of BPA in both canned corn and peeled tomatoes (links in German).
What exactly is bisphenol A and why is it a concern?
The debate about the effects of BPA has been going on for a long time and is controversial among experts. Although there are a large number of studies that deal with the substance, the results are sometimes contradictory, ambiguous and often incapable of being reproduced. BPA is an industrial chemical that’s used in the production of plastics (polycarbonate). It can be found in many everyday products, from cooking spoons to drinking bottles. As a component of epoxy resins, BPA is also used as an internal coating for food cans.
The problem is, BPA affects our hormones and, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), poses a health risk if it comes into contact with food.
Researchers suspect that BPA can mimic the effect of oestrogen in the body and thus interfere with it. There are also indications that the substance could increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. BPA could also have effects on the immune system, even in very small quantities (link in German). In 2023, following a reassessment, EFSA recommended drastically reducing the daily intake – also referred to as the TDI value (Tolerable Daily Intake) – from 4 microgrammes to 0.2 nanogrammes.
How much bisphenol A is in food cans?
The study conducted by «Stiftung Ökotest» in summer 2024 revealed an alarming picture: highly elevated BPA levels were measured in all 21 canned corn products tested. For a person weighing 60 kilogrammes, consuming just 50 grammes of these products on a daily basis would exceed EFSA’s TDI by a large margin. The most contaminated product even exceeded this value by more than 400 times.
BPA ban in the EU: are canned foods safe now?
Since the start of this year, the use of BPA in the inner coating of food cans has been banned throughout the EU. But it’ll be some time before the canned food from the BPA era has disappeared from supermarket shelves and, above all, from all pantries and cellars. In addition, the substance hasn’t been banned from the exterior paintwork on cans. Epoxy resin is often used there. During production, small amounts of BPA can be transferred to the inner coating through cross-contamination. The sterilisation process also plays a part in this. When the can is heated up to 120 degrees, undesirable chemicals migrate from the can coating into the product.
Switzerland: BPA bans step by step
In Switzerland, BPA has been banned from baby bottles since 2017. In 2020, the chemical was banned from thermal paper, which is used for receipts and parking tickets, for example. Currently, the Swiss authorities haven’t released their own assessment on the topic yet. However, it’s likely that Switzerland will adopt the new EU regulation, as the provisions in this area have often harmonised with those of the EU in the past.
How you can reduce your BPA intake in everyday life
- It’s better to choose fruit and vegetables from a jar than from a can. No harmful substances get into the contents of a jar. Make sure to store the storage jars in a dark place so that nutrients and vitamins are better preserved and last longer.
- Use fresh corn and other vegetables when they’re in season. Most of them can be blanched and frozen so you can eat them all year round.
- Avoid canned foods, especially acidic foods such as tomatoes or fruit.
- Don’t heat food in plastic containers that may contain BPA.
- Avoid plastic packaging wherever possible. Pay attention to the quality of manufacturing when making your choice. (However, you should bear in mind that the label «BPA-free» doesn’t automatically mean the product’s free of harmful substances. Other bisphenols are often used as substitutes, the risks of which are even less researched.)
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Science editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always outside - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.
