Nearly All Cans of Tuna Tested Have Been Found to Contain BPA

Nearly All Cans of Tuna Tested Have Been Found to Contain BPA

Recent tests in Europe have revealed worrying amounts of contamination for popular tinned foods. Here's why it's concerning.

Tinned food is popular for its convenience, long shelf life, and portability, making it easy for people to enjoy quick and accessible meals. However a recent test conducted by Swiss consumer magazine Saldo found alarming levels of contamination.

In their tests, Saldo found high levels of bisphenol A, commonly referred to as BPA. BPA is a chemical that can mess with your immune system, hormones, fertility, and even cause skin allergies. Most people get exposed to BPA through their food because it's in a lot of household items, food packaging, and drink containers.

The study involved sending samples of canned and jarred tuna to a laboratory for analysis of bisphenol A levels. The results were troubling: All ten cans of tuna analyzed contained bisphenol A. This substance, as per the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), can pose risks to human fertility and immune function, even at very low exposure levels. Potential health effects include an increased risk of autoimmune diseases and allergic respiratory conditions. Interestingly, in the U.S. the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that BPA is safe at very low levels. 

In the study, many products showed high levels of bisphenol A (BPA). For example, Albo's "White Tuna in Olive Oil" had BPA levels 50 times higher than the proposed EU limit, and products from Rio Mare and M-Classic were 20 times higher. Despite claims from companies that their cans are BPA-free, tests revealed contamination likely from the can linings.

On the other hand, glass-packaged products like Qualité & Prix's "White Tuna in Olive Oil" and Migros Sélection's "White Tuna Fillets in Olive Oil" showed no BPA traces.

Previously, the German magazine OekoTest found BPA in 18 out of 20 canned tomato products, including brands popular in Germany and Italy, such as Cirio, Aldi's King's Crown, La Doria's peeled tomatoes for Lidl, and Mutti.

Companies assured that they use BPA-free cans and provided certificates, but OekoTest speculated that environmental BPA could be contaminating the tomatoes. This is considered unlikely since, like in the recent Saldo test, only glass-packaged products like Naturata and La Selva showed no contamination.