Canned Food Contaminated by Hormone-Disrupting Chemical8 May 2001
A new survey by the Food Standards Agency, reported in ENDS Report, shows that most canned food is contaminated by the proven hormone disrupting chemical bisphenol a.. The survey shows that every-day canned foods, such as Heinz baked beans, Tesco Tuna and Sainsbury's fruit cocktail, are contaminated with this chemical, which mimics female hormones and has been shown to affect development at low doses, for example enlarging the prostate gland of developing male mice. The highest levels were found in some cans of Prince's ham.
Scientific debate rages about what is a safe level for exposure to bisphenol a; some scientists have found effects on animals at very low doses, only slightly higher than those that this survey estimates. But the UK Government is pushing at EU level for these 'low dose' studies to be ignored; while other Member States push for a more precautionary approach.
Friends of the Earth Safer Chemicals Campaigner Dr Michael Warhurst said:"The Government must put pressure on the canning industry and supermarkets to get rid of this risky chemical. In the mean time, the public has a right to know which cans contain this hormone disrupter. The Government should stop protecting its friends in the chemical industry and start protecting our health"
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