SINGAPORE: A test of 30 different canned food products sold in Singapore found that all were within the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore’s (AVA) safety limit for bisphenol-A (BPA), said the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) on Monday (Aug 22).
In a press release, CASE said the majority of the 30 products tested, which were common food products from various countries purchased by mystery shoppers from supermarkets and heartland provision stores, had no detectable amounts of the chemical.
BPA is a chemical used to prevent metal corrosion and breakage in canned foods. As it has been linked to diseases such as cancer and heart disease, the possibility of the chemical leaching into consumable product from the lacquer lining of the cans is a health concern.
Singapore’s migration limit for BPA, referring to the tolerable amount of the chemical that may transfer to food products in a can, is 0.6mg per kilogram of food.
“The results of the test bring assurance to consumers that there is minimal risk of BPA from the lining of the cans leaching into the canned food products sold in Singapore,” CASE said in the press release.
“We applaud those companies which have already taken the lead to publicly declare that they are either phasing out BPA in their manufacturing processes or are BPA-free altogether,” it added.
The authority also encouraged consumers to purchase and consume canned food products in moderation and to keep an eye out for the production date of such products where possible, as the migration level of BPA may be higher for products that have been on the shelves for a longer time.
Consumers can reduce their overall BPA exposure by choosing fresh and non-processed food as far as possible, CASE said.
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