Bisphenol A and other bisphenols, chemicals hazardous to health, are found in canned beverages, canned foods, and many everyday products. This is reported by Altroconsumo, which together with other consumer protection organizations, analyzed 179 samples.
Bisphenols are chemicals used in plastics, resins, leather, and thermal paper (such as that in tax receipts). Their harmfulness to humans and the environment is proven. Bisphenol A is such a dangerous endocrine disruptor that it (belatedly) prompted EFSA to drastically reduce its allowable limits in its April 19, 2023 opinion, as we have seen.
Bisphenol A in soft drinks and canned goods, the study
Evidence of harmfulness, however, does not stop the industry from continuing to use it. These substances are still widely present even in baby products and food contact materials (MOCAs). The quantities detected are ‘in accordance with the law’. But as always, the sum of small amounts taken from various sources poses the risk of exceeding the safe threshold.
Analyses conducted by consumer organizations reveal that. ‘out of 179 samples divided between textiles (covers, tights and bibs) and baby booties, plastic items such as water bottles (subject to migration of various chemicals, ed.), teething massagers for babies and children’s sunglasses, foods and beverages contained in coated iron cans and aluminum cans, as many as 79 (44%) contain bisphenols considered to be of concern, or release one or more of these substances in high amounts through their use, such as through contact with the mouth or skin of the user’, Altroconsumo warns.
Canned and canned beverages with BPAs
The dreaded bis phenol A and other bisphenols were traced in all canned drinks and canned foods tested. The worst are:
- Sprite 33cl
- Fanta 33cl
- Pepsi 33cl
- Recoaro Bright Water 33cl
- Coke 33cl
- Lemonsoda 4x33cl
- Mutti Tomato Pulp 2×210 g
- Monster Energy Green o.5 l
- Lipton Ice tea peach 33 cl.
Children at risk
From exposure to these substances even the youngest children are not protected.
‘More than 60 percent of the plastic products we analyzed, from children’s sunglasses to teething rings, release between one and six different types of bisphenol, including the infamous BPA. 64% of textiles contain at least three different types of bisphenol, and in 14% of cases the presence of BPA exceeds the limit considered safe by the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety’, declares Italy’s largest consumer association.
How to protect yourself
The first form of protection is to provide for more restrictive legislation. Pending public health measures, The National Institute of Health and Altroconsumo experts suggest:
- Consume food packaged in materials such as glass, ceramic or stainless steel, avoiding plastic,
- Do not microwave food or drinks in unsuitable plastic containers,
- Take extra care with plastic children’s toys, preventing them from putting them in their mouths,
- Choose clothing made of natural fibers such as cotton, wool or silk.
Marta Strinati
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
