Study finds dangerous chemical in kids' canned goods

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - If it comes in a can, it may cause cancer. That's because many canned foods have a dangerous chemical called Bisphenol A, or BPA, in the plastic lining of the can.

I-Team 8 began investigating this issue in 2007 and interviewed a number of researchers who believe dangerous levels of the chemical leach from the lining into the foods we eat.

Now a newly released study by the Breast Cancer Fund documents the presence of the toxin in six canned foods marketed to kids.

"BPA in laboratory studies has been linked to increased risks for breast cancer, prostate cancer, early puberty," said Gretchen Lee Salter, policy manager at the Breast Cancer Fund.

Here are some of the products highlighted in the report, with levels measured in parts per billion.

• Campbell's Disney Princess Cool Shapes, Shaped pasta with Chicken in Chicken Broth - 114 ppb
• Campbell's Toy Story Fun Shapes, Shaped Pasta with Chicken in Chicken Broth - 81 ppb
• Earth's Best organic Elmo Noodlemania Soup USDA Organic - 38 ppb
• Annie's Homegrown Cheesy Ravioli USDA Organic 31 ppb
• Chef Boyardee Whole Grain Pasta, Mini ABC's & 123's with Meatballs - 20 ppb
• Campbell's Spaghettios with Meatballs - 13 ppb

BPA is used in the plastic lining of the cans. It then leaches from the plastic into the food. Many cancer researchers believe BPA in children is of particular concern because it may set the stage for disease later in life.

"In all these products - but particularly in the Campbell's Disney Princess and Toy Story soups - a child-sized serving could result in BPA exposure at a level of concern,” said Salter. "Consider the number of servings of canned foods, soups, pastas, vegetables, fruits, that a child eats in a week, in a year, and then throughout her developing years, and you start to see the urgency of getting BPA out of food cans."

But the chemical companies and Campbell Soup Co. believe the levels of BPA in canned foods are too low to be harmful.

Cancer researchers disagree. Scientists like Dr. Bill Goodson want the chemical out of the food supply.

"If you want to avoid Bisphenol A for your children, you're going to be eating organic food, and you're going to be paying premium prices for things, and that shouldn't be the way it is," Goodson said.

The Breast Cancer Fund is urging companies to switch to can liners that are free of BPA. In the meantime, the organization suggests parents use alternatives to canned food, such as dried or frozen pasta or soups packaged in Tetra Paks, made mostly from paper.