BPA Chemical Found In Canned Food: Is It Safe or Not?

A recent study shed light on the presence of BPA, or Bisphenol A, in canned food--in particular, in every two out of three tested cans.

Despite consumers' demand for BPA-free cans, nearly 67 percent of the cans from major retailers that were tested had BPA along the lids or in the body.

The study was done by researchers from the Breast Cancer Fund, Campaign for Healthier Solutions, Clean Production Action, Ecology Center, Environmental Defence, Safer Chemicals and Healthy Families.

The research on the effects of BPAs is not very clear as of now. While most state that BPA causes many health problems, there are other studies, specifically done by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, that state that BPA is quite safe for food packing.

Several tests have been done to understand the effects of BPA on the human body.

Laboratory tests on animals showed that BPA might be harmful as it affects the reproductive system. In the test, the BPA affected the mammary gland development in rats and mice. 

BPA, a synthetic compound, is used in most canned bottles to make the epoxy linings between the metal and the food item.

There are chances that the BPA content in food can increase the risk of breast and prostate cancer, obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, fertility issues and early-onset puberty in children.

Deborah Kurrasch, an assistant professor at the University of Calgary, spoke to SELF and said that the synthetic compound "has been linked to pretty much any disease you can think of."

She added that BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which means it can affect the hormones in the body.

Still, more research needs to be done to completely understand its effect on human beings.