Recently, relevant food manufacturers and companies have raised objections to a report calling for a ban on the use of chemicals in food, and said that bisphenol A (BPA) in canned foods can also play a role in ensuring food quality on the premise of food safety.

 

The North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA), the American Chemical Council (ACC), and food giants such as Del Monte, Campbell and General Mills have already responded to a survey by the American Consumer Union that suggested BPA in epoxy packaging materials for canned products could contaminate food and consumers. The idea of forming potential health hazards expressed opposition.

 

Registration and approval

 

All groups and manufacturers, including Del Monte Foods, emphasize the safety of BPA in food-contact materials, which has been confirmed by the world's leading food and drug regulators, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA). The European Food Safety Agency and the British Food Standards Agency have no plans to reassess BPA.

 

Safety in food

 

It is generally accepted that all food contact materials, including epoxy resins, comply with the current FDA standards and regulations. It is also pointed out that the use of BPA as an internal packaging material can actually enhance food safety and prolong the shelf life of food.

 

Dr John Rost, chairman of the North American Metal Packaging Union, said: "This kind of packaging can withstand high temperature sterilization when food is pre-packaged and also prevent food from being contaminated by microorganisms. Food contamination and foodborne diseases caused by metal packaging materials have not occurred for more than 30 years, according to FDA records.

 

Related findings

 

The Consumer Union released the report after a survey of 19 canned foods, including soup, juice, tuna, and green beans. The survey found that almost all canned foods contained "measurable bisphenol A". The range of detection of the chemical substance ranged from 0.3PPB to 191ppb. The highest level of detection was found in canned green knife beans produced by Del Monte. Progresso vegetable soup produced by General Mills Foods detected BPA levels ranging from 67 ppb to 134 ppb, while Campbell's concentrated chicken soup noodles contained BPA levels ranging from 54.5 ppb to 102 ppb.

 

The Consumer Union said the findings were of concern, but some organizations, including the North American Metal Packaging Union, refused to acknowledge the findings. The industry associations said the data in the survey were below the limits set by government departments and did not pose potential health risks to consumers of all ages. "

 

A spokesman for Campbell said: They have been at the forefront of the search for alternatives to BPA for the past three years, but so far no satisfactory alternatives have been found. It will take at least 2-3 years for the application of a packaging material to be certified and licensed.