Study: BPA in canned foods harmful

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)- BPA is considered a toxic chemical in Canada.  In the United States, the chemical has been used as a bonding agent in canned goods, among other things, since the 1930's.  But new research shows that the BPA concentration found in canned soups could be more harmful than we thought.

You've probably seen a sign that reads, BPA free, one too many times around your grocery store.  "I look for that on the label if I'm even going to buy a plastic bottle," said Judy Biardi of Easthampton.

Bisphenol A, or as it's commonly known, BPA, is a chemical agent used to make plastic.  And according to a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, a long term, low-dose, exposure of the chemical could lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes or obesity.

"You disturb the endocrine hormones including the thyroid and you tend to go to obesity.  And we have an epidemic of obesity what are the causes multiple causes," said Bruce Homstead M.S., a licensed nutritionist, of the risks involved after consuming BPA.

BPA is also used to harden plastics and as a sealant in canned goods.  But since it has been in the market since the 1930s, some wonder why it poses a threat, now.

"Certain ingredients are far more active than others, so it could take you 20 years of being exposed to BPA to incite your cancer or your reproductive hormone problem," said Homstead of how BPA, if consumed for a period of time, can be harmful to your endocrine system.

Reports questioning the safety of the chemical surfaced in 2008, prompting the Food and Drug Administration to conduct research and find that exposure to BPA was harmful to children.  But the details of this study are leading some to question their shopping habits.

"There's something about the can that I'm leery of I don't like," said Biardi of why she doesn't buy canned goods.  Other shoppers agreed,  "[I buy] in these containers where you can have chicken broth and it doesn't have the canned chemicals in it," said Easthampton resident, Joanne Slattery.  She told 22News she buys chicken broth that is packaged in a carton, instead of canned soup, to avoid the risk of being exposed to BPA.  

Researchers say this study is not conclusive, but an indicator that it may be time to get BPA from being used as a lining in canned goods.