Many people are aware of the dangers of BPA (Bisphenol A) regarding baby bottles and sippy cups, but the highest level of BPA has been found in tin cans used for food. There is a layer of plastic used in cans to insulate food from contamination with the tin material. I guess the fact that none of my children like canned soup or alphageties is a bonus, but we eat a lot of canned tomatoes. I was shocked that the item that is known to leach the highest level of BPA is infant formula. Why does it seem BPA is affecting our babies and children the most? This topic is so disturbing. 
Last March, the Environmental Working Group reported the results of a study testing 97 cans of food for BPA. Source Environmental Working Group:
- Cans of chicken soup, infant formula, and ravioli had the highest BPA levels.
- 1 in 3 cans of infant formula had BPA levels “200 times the government’s traditional safe level of exposure for industrial chemicals.”
- Overall, 1 in 10 cans tested had high levels of BPA.
- Beverage cans have fewer BPA residues; canned pasta and canned soups have the highest levels.
To limit BPA exposure, the Environmental Working Group recommends:
- Consider using powdered formula.
- Avoid number 7 plastics.
- Pliable, milk-colored plastic does not contain BPA.
Also:
The EWG recommends parents use the following formula options, in this order of preference:
1. Your first choice should be powdered formula in a can with as little metal as possible, such as the brands in this order:
| BETTER | Nestlé, Enfamil & Similac powdered (BPA in top and bottom of can) |
| GOOD | Earth’s Best & Bright Beginnings powdered (BPA in entire can) |
2. Second choice: concentrated liquid formulas
3. Avoid all ready-to-eat liquid formulas in metal cans
Heating: Warm bottles in a pan of hot water. Microwaving can heat unevenly and cause chemicals to leach from plastic bottles into formula.
Nipple: Start with a clear silicone nipple. Latex rubber nipples can cause allergic reactions and can contain impurities linked to cancer.
Bottle: Use glass. Plastic bottles can leach a toxic chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) into formula. Avoid clear, hard plastic bottles marked with a 7 or “PC.”
Plastic bottle liners: Don’t use them. The soft plastic liners may leach chemicals into formula, especially when heated.
Water: Use filtered tap water. If your water is fluoridated, use a reverse osmosis filter to remove fluoride, which the American Dental Association recommends avoiding when reconstituting formula. If your water is not fluoridated use a carbon filter. If you choose bottled water make sure it’s fluoride-free.
Source: Environmental Working Group
The only company known to date that is not using BPA in their canned food is Eden Organic Foods. If you use their store locator with your postal code, you’ll find many local Canadian stores that carry their products:
