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Consumption of canned foods associated with higher BPA concentrations
Children and adults who consume certain canned foods are more likely to have higher urinary BPA concentrations vs. those who do not consume canned foods, according to study findings published in Environmental Research.
Jennifer C. Hartle, DrPH, MHS, an environmental health scientist, food systems analyst and postdoctoral research fellow at the Stanford Prevention Research Center at Stanford University School of Medicine, and colleagues analyzed data from 7,669 children and adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2003 and 2008 (three cycles) and completed 24-hour dietary recalls. Total urinary BPA concentration was first measured in the NHANES 2003-2004 cycle in a random one-third subsample of the population aged at least 6 years as part of the environmental phenols panel. Researchers used linear regression models to evaluate associations between recent canned food and beverage consumption and urinary BPA concentrations, adjusting for potential confounders.
Within the cohort, 9% reported consuming one canned food in the past 24 hours; 2% reported consuming two or more canned foods. Consuming one canned food vs. none was associated with 24% higher urinary BPA concentrations (95% CI, 1.11-1.38); consuming two or more canned foods vs. none was associated with a 54% higher BPA concentration (95% CI, 1.27-1.88).
Researchers found that specific types of canned foods were associated with higher urinary BPA concentrations. Participants who reported consuming canned soup had the highest urinary BPA concentrations at 229% (95% CI, 1.22-4.3), followed by those who reported consuming canned pasta (70%; 95% CI, 1.18-2.44) and canned vegetables and fruits (41%; 95% CI, 1.23-1.63). Researchers did not find a link between canned beverages and urinary BPA concentrations.
The researchers noted that the study period captures a “crucial window of time” in the use of BPA in the food system, before the BPA landscape shifted and many major manufacturers abandoned the use of BPA.
“This analysis of NHANES dietary recall data showed that canned foods contribute to BPA exposure in the population of the United States, including both children and adults,” the researchers wrote. “Urinary BPA concentrations increased with the number of canned foods, and specifically with consumption of canned vegetable and fruit, pasta and soup. Most of these trends mirror findings that ... confirm the importance of removing the use of BPA from these products to prevent dietary exposure to BPA.” – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.