Researchers from the Breast Cancer Fund tested kid-friendly canned foods for BPAs (bisphenol A), commonly associated as an estrogenic chemical that causes breast cancer.
The organization noted that the levels found in these products, which are marketed directly to children “are of great concern because BPA disrupts the body’s delicate hormonal systems.”
BPA has been banned for use in baby bottles but is still commonly used in food cans to keep a metallic taste from overpowering the contained food. Some of the products that tested highest for BPAs included Spagettios, Chef Boyardee Whole Grain Pasta with Meatballs, Annie’s Homegrown Cheesy Ravioli (organic), Organic Elmo Noodlemania Soup, Campbell’s Toy Story Fun Shapes and Campbell’s Princess Cool Shapes.
The Breast Cancer fund suggests avoiding BPAs in canned food entirely. They noted that instead, parents can cook dry pasta and mix with jarred sauce, use boxed macaroni and cheese, buy soups in tetra packs (box style) and serve fresh fruit rather than canned.