In the News

Canada Completes Survey on BPA in Canned Drinks: Confirms Exposure Presents Low Safety Risk

Mar 6, 2009

Health Canada has released its "Survey of Bisphenol A in Canned Drink Products" as part of the information gathering segment of its risk management approach for BPA. The substance, used in the production of polycarbonate bottles and in epoxy coatings for cans, was included in Batch 2 of Canada's Chemical Management Plan (CMP)., which seeks to assess the environmental and health hazards that may be presented by a myriad of chemical substances. In short, data from the survey show that dietary exposure to BPA resulting from its use in cans used to hold beverages is not expected to pose a health risk to the general population.

The survey sampled 72 canned drinks covering a wide variety of products, including diet, non-diet, fruit-flavored, energy drinks, and other varieties. BPA was detected in practically all of the canned drinks that were surveyed, with the highest levels being present in energy drinks; however, Health Canada stated that the detected amounts were extremely small and well below a safe consumption level for the chemical. A copy of the survey can be accessed from Health Canada's website, or by clicking here.