Rosalee Brown - DIETITIAN'S DESK
Are canned foods safe?
Dear Ms Brown,
I recently learnt that some canned products contain BPA. My family eats a lot of legumes, which I try to cook from scratch but, sometimes, I do buy canned ones. I also buy canned mackerel.
I sent an email to a particular canned food company, asking them if the lining of their cans contain BPA, but they haven't responded. Should I be worried? My children are older now, but I used to use some of those baby bottles which are now in the news. Could you do a feature on this? Thanks so much.
- Yvonne Skyers
Dear Reader,
The substance Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in the lining of food cans. Bisphenol A is used in certain types of plastic. Numerous animal studies have shown BPA to have various health risks in animals.
However, the results of these studies are controversial, as the study animals were said to have been subjected to levels of BPA, which human beings would not ordinarily consume when using affected containers. Most countries have not banned BPA use as they argue that there is insufficient evidence to support this action.
Many authorities, however, agree that high temperatures can cause BPA to leach into food or beverages. This possibility led Canadian retailers to pull all baby bottles, containing BPA, from the shelves. Some health food chains in the United States have done the same.
Guide to consumers
According to Professor Fredrick S. vom Saal, a professor of biology at the University of Missouri, in the United States, we should only use plastic items made with high-density polyethylene or polypropylene. To use plastics safely, we should use them as recommended:
1. Recycle.
2. Only use the product for the intended purpose.
3. Do not reuse bottles or microwave trays if they were not made to be reused.
4. Keep the heat away from BPA: Do not warm bottles made with BPA in the stove or microwave.
Don't put boiling water in them and do not place them in the dishwasher.
The problem in Jamaica is that, generally, many consumers do not bother to read the fine print at the bottom of the containers and are not aware of the possible dangers.
Maybe regulations should stipulate that safety warnings be written in bold and be more visible.
Rosalee M. Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services. Email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
