BPA (Bisphenol A) first came to the headlines as the toxic substance present in plastic baby bottles. Most people didn’t (and still don’t) know what BPA is but seeing as though it’s becoming increasingly popular to see “BPA Free” labels on plastic products consumers have begun to avoid it.

So what is BPA? BPA is a compound used to make plastics. It has become controversial due to it’s ability to disrupt the endocrine system and mimic the body’s own hormones. There have also been studies done on the effects of BPA exposure with regards to obesity, thyroid function, neurological issues, a variety of cancers, and the reproductive system.

What does this have to do with your tinned tomatoes? Currently all but one brand in Australia lines its tins with lining containing BPA. This is not only tinned tomatoes but extends to all tinned products including beans & legumes. Tomatoes are of most significance however, due to their acidity. The acidity tends to draw BPA out of the lining and into your food which is they ingested by you!

Choice Magazine conducted tests on a variety of tinned foods & have recommended that BPA be eliminated from all tin cans.

The Choice Magazine verdict was “We would like to see the food industry take more urgent action to phase out food packaging materials that release toxic chemicals into food. This includes plasticisers such as phthalates, used in some food containers and PVC cling wrap, as well as BPA-based polycarbonate bottles and epoxyresins for lining cans.”

The Choice Magazine review can be seen here.

It was interesting to note the Coles ORGANIC branded tomatoes scored quite poorly when it came to BPA contamination. So much for organic!

For more results, visit the Choice Magazine review I linked too earlier.

We have sourced the ONLY BPA FREE tinned tomatoes, beans & legumes available in Australia (short of bottling your own in glass jars!).

Spiral Organic Whole Tomatoes & Eden Organics are the only brand to not contain BPA in their tin lining. Eden Organics range includes kidney beans, cannellini beans, chickpeas, navy beans, aduki beans, lentils, black beans & baked beans.

You can’t miss them- there’s a big stand full of Spiral tomatoes & Eden beans out the front of the shop. Prices are comparable to the supermarket- minus the BPA.