BPA-free Canned Food Options

Filed by Alicia.

We’ve talked extensively about BPA-based epoxy linings commonly used in aluminum cans, especially in regards to finding BPA-free tomatoes.  It was a difficult task because of their acidic nature, but we finally found Pomi.  Not even Eden Organics, the leader of the pack, has found a way to go BPA-free in the tomato category just yet.

During our tomato treasure hunt, we gathered a small list of all BPA-free canned foods currently available.  Hopefully this list will grow quickly with the possibility of new BPA-free lining alternatives like this one made from sugar.

BPA-free Canned Food Options

• Eden of Organic Beans
• Trader Joe’s (canned corn, beans, fish, poultry and beef; they wouldn’t go into detail on what their future plans for more BPA-free options are)
• Vital Choice Seafood (salmon, albacore tuna, sardines and mackerel;  they test for all endocrine disruptors, not just BPA)

More Alternatives Confirmed by Tree Hugger

• Oregon’s Choice (6oz lightly salted albacore and the company is working toward going BPA-free with their crab and shrimp too)
• Wild Planet (5oz skipjack tuna and its 5oz albacore tuna)
• Eco Fish Oregon’s Choice (albacore tuna is currently BPA-free and they’re looking for a suitable lining for their salmon too)
• Native Forest/Native Factor (all canned foods, including the only canned coconut milk that uses a BPA-free can – which happens to the brand I’ve been using for years – yeah!)

Tree Hugger pointed out a great resource by Willy Street Coop on the BPA status of several other brands’ canned foods.  We’ll be anxious to see how their information changes as time goes on this year.

Fresh produce and dried beans are still your best bet.  Frozen produce is a good second choice because they’re usually harvested when ripe, heated for a shorter time and immediately frozen.

P.S.  Aseptic packaging (like Tetra Pak cartons/bricks) are also BPA-free.  These packages are made with layers of cardboard and aluminum, then lined with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) for the food contact surface.  Read about BPA-free Pomi tomatoes in aseptic packaging here.