A few readers asked me to give them a list of canned goods that contain BPA so they know what to avoid. Sadly, this list is easier to write the other way around since almost ALL canned food – even the organic stuff – contains BPA in the cans lining. It’s used as an epoxy to keep the can and the food from coming in contact. A few brands have started using alternatives (more on that later) and these are the ones I am aware of. I will make this a WORKING list in progress and add to it as I discover new products. As always, readers, if you know of a canned food brand that belongs here, let me know and I’ll add it.
Last Updated April 5, 2012
BPA Free Canned Food Brands
- Oregon’s Choice Albacore Tuna
- Eden Organic Beans, Refried Beans, Chilies and Rice & Beans (cans are now being labeled
- Trader Joe’s Canned corn, green beans, coconut milk, all beans (reg and organic), tuna, poultry, and canned tomatoes (Thanks The Soft Landing for verifying this for me)
- Vital Choice Salmon, Albacore Tuna, Mackrel & Sardines
- Tiny Eco-Fish Canned Albacore Tuna
- Wild Planet 5 oz. Skipjack Tuna & 5 oz. Albacore Tuna
- Edward & Sons brand Native Forest Fruit & Vegetables
- Bionaturae Canned tomatoes (they are labeled BPA free) (Thank you FB fan Annika for passing this along)
- Natural Value: All organic tomatoes, all tuna products, all cat food products
- Muir Glen (transitioning to BPA Free cans for their tomato products. The process has been slow and I wouldn’t expect to be able to tell which ones are BPA free unless you buy them and open them to look at the lining.)
- ConAgra Foods the maker of Chef Boyardee and Slim Jim snacks has removed BPA from SOME of its Hunt’s tomato products. They are looking into transitioning
Not working on it:
- Coca Cola
- Pepsi Co
Both companies have stated that they will not be changing to BPA Free any time.
I would love for this list to become useless when all companies phase out BPA. But that will take some time and persistence. There is some concern that any alternatives used could be worse or just as bad (so I still maintain that it’s easy and not expensive to go can-free). Companies are using something called an oleoresin which is a natural mixture of an oil and a resin extracted from various plants. Muir Glen and Eden Foods are phasing it in. I am trying to find out more information about it but it’s still new so information is limited. I will of course update you on any new information.
Update: I totally spaced out on the article done by none other than the Non Toxic Ninjas at The Soft Landing. You can reference their article on BPA Free options as well which lists items in tetrapak and other materials like glass. BPA Free Canned Food Options.