Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, has been banned from use in baby bottles in Canada. Its use is also restricted in some American states. At least one consumer group is calling for a ban on BPA use in all food packaging.
When expectant mom Leslie Schoemann eats canned soup, she suspects it might not be the healthiest lunch but she doesn't expect it to pose a health risk to her or her family.
"I've sometimes thought, you know, I'm not giving the most nutritious meal to my child. I never thought that anything to do with the packaging or the can would be what was harmful to them," said Schoemann.
As the issue of BPA safety is hotly debated, consumers like Leslie are left without clear answers. Just what is a safe level of BPA to ingest? Consumer Reports waded into the debate to look for answers.
"There are more recent studies, showing that exposure to low doses of BPA are associated with a wide range of adverse health effects, including various cancers, diabetes, and heart disease," Consumer Reports' Urvashi Rangan said.
Consumer Reports tested a variety of foods for BPA, three samples of 24 different products - mostly canned. Included were ones from Campbell's, Del Monte, Green Giant, Hormel, Progresso, and others.
Outside lab tests found many of the samples contained BPA levels that were higher, often much higher, than the level Consumer Reports experts believe could pose a safety risk - especially to children and developing fetuses.
"It's important to note, levels of BPA can vary significantly - even in the products we tested. Our tests were a small snapshot of the marketplace, so you can't draw conclusions about any one type of product or any particular brand. But there are things you can do that may help minimize exposure," said Rangan.
Ideally, choose fresh food over canned whenever possible. And for products children drink a lot of/ consider alternatives, such as powdered infant formulas and bottled or boxed juice.
Leslie Schoemann says she'll make what she sees as small changes, hoping to reduce her family's risk.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is re-assessing the safety of BPA and is expected to announce the results of that review by the end of November. Health Canada is also continuing to study the issue.
Meanwhile, the food industry has been waging a fight against BPA regulations and is backed up by the American Chemistry Council, which claims scientific evidence clearly supports the safety of BPA.
Consumer Reports disagrees, saying BPA should be banned from any packaging that comes in contact with food.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen.
