Conagra Removes BPA From Food Cans

OMAHA, NE -- ConAgra Foods Inc. said all of its facilities in the U.S. and Canada have completed the transition to cans made without Bisphenol A (BPA) liners. The packaged food giant began canning some food in non-BPA lined cans in 2010, but others required a different approach, due to their acidity and other characteristics. ConAgra's canned products include Hunt tomatoes, Reddi-wip whipped cream and Chef Boyardee pasta.

BPA, used in polycarbonate beverage bottles and to coat metal cans, can seep into food or beverages from containers that are made with the chemical. Research has shown that BPA is "endocrine disrupter" that can cause a range of disorders, particularly in pregnant women, developing fetuses and infants. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that BPA is safe at the very low levels that occur in some foods.

ConAgra worked with Luxembourg-based Ardagh Group, which invested in the capacity and capability to meet its needs. The cans are now made in new production facilities that cool the containers with polyester or acrylic materials that do not contain BPA.

As of July 30, all ConAgra Foods canned foods made in its U.S. and Canadian facilities will be packaged in cans with non-BPA liners. The company imports into the U.S. and Canada a small quantity of canned products with BPA liners, and said it is working with the suppliers of these products to convert to non-BPA liners by early 2016.