Operators buying bulk cans of food supplies need not be alarmed by Consumer Reports' data on measurable levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in canned foods, according to the North American Metal Packaging Alliance. The values seen in the recently released study, measured in parts per billion, were below the lowest regulatory threshold of concern set by government scientists and do not pose a health risk to consumers of all ages, NAMPA said.
"We are extremely disappointed that Consumer Reports failed to provide its readers with the full story on BPA in canned foods," said Dr. John Rost, chairman of the North American Metal Packaging Alliance Inc., in a news release. "BPA-based epoxy coatings in metal packaging provide real, important and measurable health benefits by reducing the potential for the serious and often deadly effects from food-borne illnesses.
"This packaging enables the high temperature sterilization of food products when initially packaged and continuously protect against microbial contaminants. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration records, there has not been an incidence of food-borne illness resulting from a failure of metal packaging in the U.S. in more than 30 years."
Dr. Rost also said it is unfortunate that Consumer Reports failed to report on an important study recently released in the peer-reviewed Journal of Toxicological Sciences. "This study, conducted by scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency, provides strong new scientific evidence that exposure to BPA, even at extremely low doses described by Consumer Reporters, is safe."
