Canned Food Alert: Why Relying On Conventional Wisdom Can Damage Your Bone Health - Save Our Bones

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is one of the foundations of the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, and many in our community have asked me if it is imperative to eat fresh produce. Of course it is best to eat fresh as often as possible because fresh foods are more alkalizing than their processed counterparts. But realistically speaking, this can pose a challenge on some occasions.

So because you might have to rely on canned or frozen foods sometimes, in this article I want to give you up-to-date information on why you should avoid canned foods as much as possible, and help you find a healthier alternative.

The Bisphenol A saga

Recent studies show that more often than not, food cans are lined with a resin containing Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic estrogen that was originally produced in the 1930’s. Nowadays BPA is also used to manufacture polycarbonate plastic, dental sealants, and can be found in many other consumer products.

The problem with BPA is that it breaks down easily, and therefore leaches into the food, posing a health risk that until recently has been only linked to clear plastic. Scientists have known for many years that the weak chemical bond between BPA molecules is easily disrupted by heat and acidic or alkaline conditions causing the release BPA into food or beverages in contact with it.

Tests of canned products conducted by Consumer Reports confirm that almost all of the 19 name-brand foods contained BPA, and more disturbingly, the findings also apply to cans labeled “BPA-free”.1

This poses a health risk that goes well beyond clear plastics, and might explain why according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 95% of Americans tested had urinary BPA.2

So how does BPA tie in to your bone health? You see, all chemicals acidify your blood pH and therefore cause calcium loss from the bones. Furthermore, your general health greatly affects your capacity to succeed when you follow a natural bone health program, so I’d like you to be aware of the fact that…

BPA can cause a myriad of serious health issues

The health effects of Bisphenol A should not be ignored, especially since BPA can alter the expression of hundreds of genes, affecting different tissues. Over 130 scientific studies link BPA exposure – even at well below the government set “acceptable” doses – to a vast array of health problems. Here’s a summary:

1. Lower anti-oxidant enzyme levels

A noticeable decrease in antioxidant enzymes necessary to protect against free radical cellular damage.

2. Impaired immune function

Studies conducted on mice show a reduction of various immune-related cells and antigen-specific antibody production.

3. Changes in brain chemistry and brain damage

BPA affects receptors involved in regulating brain control systems that coordinate certain functions of the reproductive system. Even though BPA mimics the effect of estrogen in developing neurons, it can paradoxically also inhibit the activity of estrogen in certain areas of the brain, which could impair memory and learning capacity.

4. Behavioral changes

BPA has been linked to aggression, ADD and ADHD, altered socio-sexual and maternal behavior, and greater susceptibility to drug addiction.

5. Early-onset puberty

Puberty age in females takes place earlier than normal.

6. Birth defects

BPA can cause an error in cell division called aneuploidy, an abnormality that causes almost 20% of birth defects, including Down’s Syndrome.

7. Breast and prostate cancer

BPA increases tissue growth in breasts, possibly increasing the chances of developing breast cancer, and causes several changes in the prostate, including cancer cell proliferation.

8. Reduction of male fertility

It causes a reduced sperm count and lower testosterone levels.

9. Diabetes and obesity

Low-level chronic ingestion of BPA caused insulin resistance in adult mice, and insulin resistance might lead to Type II diabetes. Studies also show an increased rate of postnatal growth in both males and females as a result of maternal BPA exposure, which is associated with obesity, insulin-resistant diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

Relying on “official” data can be a huge mistake

In view of these health issues, it is easy to understand why there was such ample media coverage on the use of BPA in baby bottles in the not so distant past. However, I can’t help but notice that the media focused exclusively on baby bottles and failed to mention other uses of BPA in the food industry, such as the ubiquitous BPA resin lining in canned foods.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established guidelines for daily safe exposure, set at 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. How reassuring it is to know the safe levels of BPA, right? After all, if this toxic product is regulated by a government agency, we have nothing to worry about because they have surely reviewed all the relevant information.

But the sad truth is that, as is the case with many “official” conclusions potentially affecting mammoth industry cartels, everyone would be better off without these guidelines. In the absence of what most consider a trustworthy source, people would rely on their own research and use third-party independent sources to obtain information and get to the bottom of a health issue.

And the BPA saga is yet one more example of the public’s blind trust in government agency opinions: according to Consumer Reports, the EPA’s “safe” level for Bisphenol A is based on outdated experiments from 30 years ago. And their guidelines have not changed since, in spite of a multitude of more recent laboratory studies.3

But let’s not focus only on the USA, which could be lagging behind other countries on these issues. For example, Canada banned BPA baby bottles on April 2008, which on the surface sounds like a good thing. However, Health Canada – like agencies in other parts of the world – blatantly ignores a more significant source of BPA exposure to babies. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a private watchdog, just about all brands of liquid and powder canned baby formula made by international companies like Nestlé, Ross-Abbot, and Mead-Johnson are lined with BPA. To make matters worse, the EWG found higher levels of BPA in canned liquid formula than what could leach from baby bottles.4

A few months after the ban, in October 2008, Health Canada made an official statement claiming that “bisphenol A exposure to newborns and infants is below levels that cause effects” and that the “general public need not be concerned”.5

Now you might say that Canada is only one country of many, so what about the European Union? In October 2008, the European Commission and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that there are no grounds to revise BPA’s Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI), which is the same as in the USA, because it is safe for consumers. However, the EFSA is scheduled to release another opinion on BPA by May 2010. Don’t hold your breath, because they are up against a giant and powerful industry.

Independent scientists are fighting a lonely battle against the chemical industry and regulators that protect its interests

So how can we reconcile statements issued by government agencies with the findings of independent scientists? Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to this complex issue, in part because chemical manufacturers are willing to openly flex their muscles in order to protect their giant profits.

For example, University of Missouri-Columbia scientist Frederick Vom Saal and team published a study in 1997, showing evidence that minute amounts of BPA caused irreversible changes in the prostate of mice. Soon after, a representative of Dow Chemical Company, a major BPA manufacturer, showed up at their laboratory and disputed their findings. In Vom Saal’s own words to the EWG interviewer, the Dow scientist told the research team that “we want you to know how distressed we are by your research.” Vom Saal adds that “it was not a subtle threat”, and points to the huge BPA production in the US totaling 6 billion dollars each year. But after the surprise visit and other failed attempts to ridicule his work and block public speeches on the subject, Vom Saal continued his quest and published multiple studies on BPA’s deleterious health effects.

To the benefit of consumers, Vom Saal’s team is not the only one acknowledging the power of the industry they are up against. Washington State University reproductive scientist Patricia Hunt initiated studies on BPA because of a laboratory accident in 1998 that caused her to find greater abnormalities in rats who had accidentally consumed BPA than in the mutant study rats. Her findings stunned her, and she comments that “like most Americans, I thought, my government protects me from this kind of stuff,” and adds that “we're up against big industry, and they're running pretty effective damage control.”6

Use frozen instead of canned produce

As I mentioned earlier, your best bet is to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, but frozen ones are a pretty good second choice. They are most often harvested when ripe, cooked for a short time in boiling water or steamed, and frozen right away. Of course, try to stay away as much as possible from canned foods.

And I’ll conclude with some ideas to make it even easier for you to increase your fruit and vegetable consumption:

  • Keep a temptingly attractive bowl with fresh fruits or a variety of dried fruits on your kitchen counter.
  • Place a see-through bowl with cut-up vegetables on the top shelf of your refrigerator for between-meals snacking.
  • Make a delicious alkalizing dip for vegetables by mixing 1 cup plain yogurt with ¼ teaspoon dill weed, 1 crushed garlic clove, 2 finely minced green onions, 1 teaspoon honey, and a dash of black pepper.
  • Eat fruits for breakfast. You can make a smoothie or add your favorite fruits to a bowl granola.
  • Choose fruit for dessert or start your meal with a fruit.
  • Carry a small zip lock bag with dried fruits or finger veggies such as carrots, celery sticks, or cucumbers sliced lengthwise for on-the-go snacking.
    Till next time…

References

1 Consumer Reports Magazine, December 2009.
2 Calafat A, Z Kuklenyik J, Reidy S, Caudill J, Ekong L, Needham. “Urinary Concentrations of Bisphenol A and 4-Nonylphenol in a Human Reference Population”. Environmental Health Perspectives. 113: 391-395 (2005).
3 Saal F, Hughes C, “An Extensive New Literature Concerning Low-Dose Effects of Bisphenol A Shows the Need for a New Risk Assessment”. 113:8. August 2005.
4 “BPA Levels in Canned Infant Formula Poses Higher Risk than Baby Bottles”. Environmental Working Group. December 5, 2007.
5 “Government of Canada Protects Families with Bisphenol A Regulation”. News Release. Health Canada [www.hc-sc.gc.ca] October 17, 2008.
6 Shannon E. “What the Chemical Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know”. Environmental Working Group. September 2008.

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Comments on this article are closed.

  1. pamela

    We are on the same brainwaves because everything you discuss about bones I already now! Let’s meet sometime in Florida because I visit often.

  2. Noreen

    what about the white lining used in can goods, I was assured by one

    company who uses it that it was safe. I wonder how true that is

    Noreen

  3. Pat

    I have been having infusions the past 2 years and am about to say no more it has cone to the stage where I hardly eat dues to difficulty in swallowing which makes it very hard to eat vegetables or fruit unless cooked very well & then blended in most cases.
    Do you think I have any hope of making my bones stronger by missing out on lots of goodies.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Pat, making your bones stronger without the use of drugs is what the Save Our Bones program is all about! You won’t miss out on any “goodies” on the program – it’s all about goodies, from good food to good health! I encourage you to check it out, and I wish you a speedy recovery from the unpleasant swallowing condition you’ve developed.

      If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail our Customer Service department by clicking on the smiley face icon at the top of the page. 🙂

  4. Robert Blanding

    Vivian,thanks for your great health alert- will put it into practice from now on. I have a question about nutrition for muscle building. Nutritional
    products Ensure/Boost claim to do that for seniors- many people do use with
    good results on one side, but on the other side adverse health affects. Is there a natural formula, soy free or any other negative ingredients to health?

  5. Malcolm O'Brien

    Truly shocking revelation! Without your timely alert,we’d be in more of a stew with Big Chem. Thanks, Viv! Malcolm O’Brien

  6. Marc

    I stopped buying canned food many years ago and started buying organic produce and I haven’t looked back. It has changed my life dramatically healthwise.

  7. Debbie

    You mention carrying a snack in a ziplock bag….Is there not BPA in the ziplock?

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Debbie, good for you for noticing that detail! BPA is usually found in hard plastics, not soft plastics like plastic baggies. While it’s possible that plastic baggies could contain BPA, you can choose Ziploc brand, which is purported to be BPA-free. 🙂

      • Abigail ran

        Hi Vivian, my question is this organic or inorganic and is this a metallic, ionic or covalent. And what ingredients should be removed, what compounds could be used as replacement/ substitute, and the effect of the improved product to public health and to the environment. Thank you so much! 🙂

  8. Marius

    why does the CDC and other such as consumer watch force the baning of use of BPA in anything related to food? BPA also causes storage of staborn bad fat…

  9. JUlie McLaren

    Thank you for this very interesting article.

    Another thing that is worrying is the plastic containers that water is sold in.
    there seem to be alternatives to this, but having to use tap water instead.
    even regarding distilled waer, this seems to be sold in plastic containers.
    do you know of any solution to this. Thank you. Julie

  10. Goldie

    Hi Vivian, Thanks so much for article on canned items. I try not to use them often, only rearly a tin of corned beef or chopped tomatoes, but I was
    not aware of the damage they can do. Thanks again, please continue to help us keep better health

  11. Sharon

    I always go for fresh produce — but the one food I do buy in cans is beans. I eat them several times a week (black, pinto or garbanzo), mostly in salads; sometimes cooked. I buy organic, no-sodium-added beans, but am still not sure if the cans contain BPA. Do you think I should eat beans less often?

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Sharon, you might consider buying dried beans and cooking them at home. It’s economical, and you can flavor them how you like!

      Just a note – the beans you mentioned (black, pinto, and garbanzo) are all acidifying, so make sure you’re balancing with alkaline-forming foods!

  12. irene

    Baby carrots are bleached… no more baby carrots for me. That is probably why I only see the larger variety at the health food store. I plan to store anything that I buy in plastic that I cannot find a substitute for in glass containers. Thanks for the info

  13. irene

    This has been very interesting. I am shocked that baby carrots are bleached. Well, I guess when I go to the organic health food store I will check the carrots out. Maybe, that is why I only see the larger variety of carrots. Even if we buy something in plastic, maybe, we should take them out of the plastic and store them in glass containers. Thanks so much.

  14. Jane

    I was just wondering whether this would be a concern for nuts like blue diamond?

  15. Rachel Lee

    Does the plastic packaging used for frozen vegetables have BPA in it?

    • Joyce

      My 6.5 month ancient likes this teeehtr. He sits back, holds it, turns it around in his mouth, chews it. He chews everything, but aside from the toys on his excersaucer, and the tubing on his breathing tube, I reckon this is his favorite. He even holds it himelf, instead of expecting me to. He has 5 teeth by now, and it seems to be a really nice texture for teeth. He never really liked the refrigerated kind of teeehtr, and the vibrating kind only so-so. The golden-haired bump parts can go on his tongue, and don’t gag him, or he cam place them to the side by where his molars will probably go. He really chomps on it to. It looks like he has a giant wad of gum in his mouth. Then sometimes he bites down then pulls on it. Lots of different ways. It seems like he is practicing biting and chewing. The only thing I might be concered about is the spot where the modest beads are, because there are holes in the plastic, so if you don’t keep it clean, I wonder if it would get yucky in there.

    • Glen Gibson

      Yes frozen bags contain BPA unless specifically stating otherwise. The absorption of BPA by a frozen product is minimal if at all. I would suggest removing the contents from the bag before thawing or cooking in a glass container. It is during the heating and cooling that chemicals leach out of the plastics and into the food.

  16. beryl

    Hi vivan
    A very interesting article. But I have a question to ask , I have looked at most of my tins for instance tomatoes , how do I know this substance is in the tin? All I’ve got is co5 pc L n266 18:52 can you interpret it for me
    Thanks
    Beryl

    • Mollie

      I have yet to come across a marked tin.

      You can easily tell when you open because the lining of tin is smooth and off-white (cream) coloured.

      I now have a list of products that are packed in this and make a point of never buying the brand.

  17. Teresa Cannizzo

    Dear Vivian,
    I just purchased your program. I can not find the information on where to order the vitamins. I was sure that you had recommended an on-line company that was not expensive.
    Thank you,
    Teresa

    • Carol A

      The company she recommends is VitaCost.com: https://www.vitacost.com/ Carol

      • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

        That’s right, Carol. Vitacost has some great discounts on name brand vitamins (and free shipping for orders over $49!) 🙂

  18. Joyce E Hall

    I personally try to stay away from canned foods. I do buy Tuna and salmon in cans. I have seen one serving pouches wih Tuna and Salmon, but not enough to feed the entire family. Most times I want to make enough so the others in my house can eat what I eat. I am skeptical of canned foods. I dislike the high level of sodium added. (870mg..) I got that # from a can of chicken soup. Also they add MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) which is a form of salt. I have an alergic reaction to MSG. It’s not healthy to eat high levels of salt. If
    we ignore the salt level, look how much salt we could consume at one meal! Reading labels these days is a necessity. Joyce Hall

    • Will

      I don’t think they should ban them.Should the gnnoremevt just be advertising the fact that lactating or pregnant or conceiving women get no realistic benefit from consuming soft drinks, no matter the container, or alcohol? (Assuming the ad budget has something left in it once they’ve finished saturating the country with the knowledge that tax credits are blue, and are plucked from the sky.)There is a plausible hypothesis that PBA leached from soft drink cans would be able to act as a hormone disruptor in humans. The plastic milk bottle decision by Health Canada was controversial, but the potential risks were greater in that case compared to soft drinks: milk bottles are heated, increasing the amount of BPA leaching, and milk in bottles is given to babies, who make no choice about what goes into their bodies, and are at a stage of life where exposures to hormone mimics could affect their development. Milk bottles also have a replacement: a glass bottle, or non-BPA containing plastic bottle. Banning plastic-lined cans is more difficult: they are ubiquitous.

  19. margie hudnell

    You indicate selecting frozen over canned but if the problem is in plastics and the frozen items are in plastic and now designed to be microwaved or boiled in that plastic how is this any better? Understand frozen cooked on the stove avoids the plastic but just wondering how do you know which plastics have BPA? And as to canned fruit – is this a problem also?

  20. Christina Holman

    I was very disappointed with the alkalizing dip for the vegetables. I tried it and my husband and I thought it was awful! Isn’t there a better tasting recipe out there that is healthy for us?

    • margie hudnell

      Would love to find a good dip without onions or garlic?

      • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

        Hi Margie and Christina,

        The tahini recipe in my sesame seed article makes a wonderful dip. I love the flavor of tahini on its own, but of course you could add any herbs and spices you’d like. 🙂

        • Betty

          I have a tahini recipe for spreading on toast or crackers.

          Tahini mixed with raw honey to taste and cinnamon. Great!

          I do a whole jar at a time and keep in the frig.

  21. Heather

    What do you do about prunes? The best ones for our purposes are from tins, with stones. The dried ones with their various preservatives (even if without stones) seem a less good alternative. WHY is any food allowed to be sold to the public that is not 100% good for you – in the end (in the UK) the Health Service has to help with any resulting illness at a cost to the taxpayer. This seems like a complete nonsense.

  22. Sandy

    Wouldn’t carrying cut up veggies in a small ziplock bag leach BPA into the veggies? Surely plastic bags have BPA. Why recycle glass jars? Wash them and use them for water and food on the go.

    • Margaret Rinicker

      What kind of lids for glass jars don’t have suspicious looking components, like unhealthy-looking metal alloys or white plastic-looking paints….even the old rubber-look gaskets seem dangerous. So would you use a wax seal?? Or what?

    • Betty

      For the last five years I have been eating much like you prescribe, although I hadn’t read about you yet. For about ten years, I drank a lot of pop and didn’t eat much veggies. Before that, I
      ate very well, while my kids were growing up.
      I am 58 years old and work on my own Dairy farm.
      Looking back, it seems the years I didn’t eat so well, I didn’t get colds/flu, but the years I ate
      “good”, I couldn’t fight it so well…Like this year. I live in Wisconsin, and I can’t shake the
      respiratory flu this year. I would think it would be reversed. Does this have to do with Acidity?

  23. catherine smith

    Vivian, Thank you so much, for the info on canned foods.I just buy canned Tuna and Slimfast in cans.Are they bad, also? Why do they do this, to the people, if they know, it is bad for us?

  24. susan molyneux

    hi,
    is the tri-calcium phosphate in Alpro soya likely to clog up arteries?
    yours,
    susan

  25. Clara Goodman

    Enjoyed the article. Lets me know i’m doing the right thing in collecting fresh fruit and vegetables. Thank you.

  26. Pauline Pohorski

    Vivian, What about Canned Salmon? Dr. Oz recommends it for bone density but now you tell us the problem with the cans. What are we supposed to do? It is quite confusing.

    Pauline

  27. Pauline Pohorski

    What do you think about canned salmon? Dr. Oz recommends it for bone density but now you mention the problem with canned items. It is quite confusing.

    Pauline

  28. Joy Robertson

    Vivien, I enjoyed your article about lemons and lemonaide being beneficial to bone health. My question …..is lemon juice concetrate in a bottle a reasonable subsitute for fresh lemons?

    Thanks, Joy

  29. Ms. L.

    Hi! Vivian,

    This Was A Very Good Article, And Very Informative Too.
    I’ve Read Other Articles On BPA. I Subscribe To Several Health Sites On My Computer.
    Thank You VERY MUCH For Your Advice. I Really LOVE Your Site.
    LOVE, MS. L.

  30. Marie Thompson

    Vivian, your acticles are so helpful. Much appreciated, and I am more careful what I eat. Take care – Marie.

  31. J McDaniel

    Don’t the lids used for home canning have BPA? I know mine have a white coating on the inside.
    Does anyone know where you can find lids that don’t have the coating. And do you know you can use glass jars for freezing.

  32. PAULINE

    ARNT ZIP LOCK BAGS MADE OF PLASTIC????

    I WONDER ABOUT THEM..

    ALSO WOULDNT IT BE GOOD IF YOU COULD SEE INTO CANS TO FIND OUT IF THEY ARE PLASTIC LINED.
    OR WERE LABLED.

  33. Frances Miller

    Vivian, as usual thanks for the info. I grow my own cucumbers, dill and basil and enjoy them very much. You can even grow them in containters if you don’t have a place outside. Really appreciate the info on the dressing. Can’t seem to make good dressings so can’t wait to try this one. Thanks.

  34. lourdes

    WOW THANKS FOR THE INFO I’M EPILEPTIC AND MY DOCTOR SAID THAT MY MEMORY LAPS IS ‘CAUSE I HAD SO MANY SIEZURES, THAT MAY BE, BUT I’VE USED ALLOT OF CAN GOODS FOR YEARS. NOW I’LL BE PASSING THIS INFO TO MY SISTER-IN-LAW ‘CAUSE SHE HAS TWO LITTLE BEAUTIFUL TWIN GIRLS. SO AGAIN THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS. LOVE, LOURDES!

  35. Margaret O'Donnell

    Hi Viv
    I find it hard to keep up with all your posts!
    However, thanks for the hints re healthy eating. My mother (a nurse) was a great promoter of your ideas, without the scientific backup! I bottle my own fruit in glass containers, so hopefully they are safe but I will now try to eliminate canned stuff!
    Margaret

  36. Nu Ly

    Thank you the info – The BPA in the canned foods to damage our health.

    I seldom buy canned foods, only canned tomatoes and sardines. I prefer the frozen foods to canned foods. I have a more high bood sugar, so many fruits & veggies I dare not eat, such as grapes, water-melon, carrot, honey, dried fruits etc… they have high sugar, is it right?

  37. Doris

    This is a bit off the subject of canned food, but I was wondering why some acid – alkaline charts rank frozen food as being more acid than fresh. What happens in the process and does that also apply to meals I cook and freeze ?

  38. Treesa

    i love my tuna, salmon and sardines in a can.
    what can i eat now if these are now bad for me.
    i do buy fresh salmon and have that once a week but this is not nearly enough omega 3.

  39. Carol

    What is a good alternative to including sardines in the diet, if the canning of them is harmful?

    • sardine

      please i do like sardine three or four time in a week.
      please advise me
      thanks.
      a.ramma

  40. betty carrington

    dear youse, i am almost 77 yrs old and sick and tired of bein “frightened” by all these folks telling me how much in danger i am………thanks for your “info”..maybe we can all be afraid together…

  41. Wendy Childs

    Grateful for info on BPA – Many thanks.

    I’ve found that an alternative to cream – natural yoghurt, a few drops of vanilla extract and a tiny amount of honey – is wonderful with fresh fruit and it certainly encourages me to eat more fresh fruit!

  42. Veronica

    Thank you so much, Vivian, for keeping us informed. You are doing a tremendous service for all of us!

  43. TERI

    Great article..Do you have any info on Red Rice Yeast with regard to lowering cholesterol?

    • Nancy Mincy

      What studies have you read that show cholesterol to be a
      culprit? Answer: There are none. Big Pharma makes multiple billions of dollars off the implied threat of “good and bad” and “high” cholesterol. No proof. Not so common, common sense can be found with an education behind it at: http//www.ThePeoplesChemist.com . Check out Barnes and Noble while your at it, there are many many books exposing this charade. As with this site well footnoted.

      • Betty

        News in Canada this week said Statins for high cholesterol have been implicated in risk for diabetes.

  44. gloria

    Hi Vivian,
    Thank you for sharing your knowledge on many important issues and making us aware of things that can be detrimental to our well-being. Your emails are very encouraging; you are a blessing to many!
    Gloria

  45. Gary

    Thank you for the info about BPA in cans. What about zip-lock bags? Do they leach anything?

    • Marsha York Dewhurst

      Thank you for your question regarding zip-lock bags.
      I was just about to ask the same one. Isn’t this just one more area of concern for our current disposable society! At the health food store that I go to they have several items in glass jars that you are charged a fee for and can receive a credit back when you return the jar. They are usually a perfect size that would replace those little zip-lock bags so I just hang on to them and reuse them myself. My own recycling system! (lol)
      Have a great day!

      Marsha

  46. Dori Khakpour

    Does this then make a good case for jars? Especially for tomato or pasta sauce? I would guess yes…you can find vegetables canned in jars at specialty stores and at Vermont Country Store via internet. However this article made me think about the lining of cartons, what do you know about the boxes that contain so many of our liquid foods?
    Thanks!

    • katerine

      I’ve just tried to submit this comment/question to the website but not sure if it worked so I’m trying again here:-
      I’ve read several times that almonds are an alkalizing nut but does that apply only to uncooked almonds or is it also ok to eat roasted salted almonds occasionally (not the smoked ones which taste disgusting and synthetic, just roasted whole almonds?)
      Also do any other nuts or seeds have this alkalizing effect and again is it lost if they are cooked?
      Thank you as ever for all the wonderful advice.
      KT

      • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

        As is the case with any food, the closer to their natural state, the more alkalizing. So natural almonds are more alkalizing than roasted and salted almonds.

  47. Irma

    Thank you for this article Vivian.
    I always eat fresh fruits and vegetables. But I like tuna fish and sardines.
    I never eat red meat. I eat chicken once a month.
    My diet is based on beans, grains, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, nuts and dried fruits
    instead cookies, cakes or ice cream.

  48. Gerri D.

    Dear Vivian,

    Thank you again for another informative piece of information. I always look forward to your E-Mails. I am doing very well following the information in your book. I suggest to everyone who has not purchased Vivians book to do so as soon as you can. You will not be disappointed.

    Thank you again Gerri D.

  49. Wilhelmina Kosowan

    Thank you ,for a most interesting article,
    I will definetly try the dip recipe,How ever I am not to sure about dried fruit for snacks.
    They have a lot of sugar.
    What about the expiry dates on the cans? are they of any value?
    W.Kosowan

    • Elaine

      You are smart about dried fruits.

      This is worth knowing.
      https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/03/13/richard-johnson-interview.aspx

      It just amazes me that baby carrots soaked in chlorine and dried fruits high in fructose and usually having sulphates are considered better than BPA. Go figure.

      By the way, it is not just BPA. There are phthalates, parabens, sodium fluoride …… that are also harmful to our health. The list goes on and on.

  50. Anna Aronovitch

    The article is informative and disturbing, as I try to eat sardines with the bones regularly. IS this is the incorrect thing to do.

  51. ester da silva

    Thanks, Vivian, for sharing your knowledge.
    I appreciate you in depth information.
    Best wishes,
    Ester

  52. Andrea Moore

    I appreciate the informstion on improving my bone health. I do not purchase canned food but select fresh whenever possible and frozen if fresh is unavailable.
    Thank you,
    Andrea

  53. Dorothy

    Vivian, This is a great article, everyone should read it. Also, I try to keep fresh fruit and veggies out for the grandchildren. Thanks for the article.

    • Patti

      Great article Vivian…as always!

      ABC News would like to hear from anyone who has had trouble with Fosamax (or any osteo drug)!! They reported about this on the 6pm news last night and asked that others share their story with them. They too are confused as to why the FDA has not investigated these drugs! I encourage all of you to take a minute and email them your story! Here is the link:
      https://abcnews.go.com/Health/fosamax-scare-women-weigh-risk-bone-loss-drug/story?id=10057108

  54. Linda

    Is there anyone out there who has followed Vivians way of eating and exercise and has had a bone scan since doing so that has increased in density??
    I am just looking for some hope.
    Thanks

    • Elaine

      I believe all body systems work together and won’t single out one system. The circulatory system, hormonal system, bone health etc. talk to one another. Work on the overall health. In my opinion, most symptoms are a result of inflammation. Destress and reduce/eliminate inflammation and one will be a lot healthier.
      Use Dr. Weil’s anti-inflammatory food pyramid.
      https://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02995/Dr-Weil-Anti-Inflammatory-Food-Pyramid.html

      Dr. Weil’s and many other web sites provide up-to-date, accurate and reliable info.

      Good luck!

  55. Janet Talley

    Hi Vivian,
    I normally eat fresh fruit and from your article I am glad I do.I am thankful as usual for your health info on the BPA found on the canned fruits, I am wondering is it on other canned items as well. I notice you mentioned on named bran canned items, I mostly purchase generic canned greens, such as spinish, all other veggies are fresh, I shall start buying dried fruit as well and switch from baby carrots(fresh) to regular carrots. This BPA could be a part of many children being diagnosised with the ADHD ? I shall also try the Almond milk, is it in the silk (soy)? This BPA is one huge multiple threat, it includes all the health problems anyone could have and it decreases the antioxidant levels in our bodies and this isn’t good,not forgetting the baby bottles and milk, I did hear about the unhealthy baby formula. Thanks Vivian for your up-date on this very important issue, I shall indeed pass it on, about the BPA in our brand named fruit in the can. Keep us informed, we are thankful as always
    Janet Talley

  56. June

    Dried fruits? No kidding. They have many times more fructose than fresh fruits. Sugars are one of the main culprits for heart disease.

    https://www.vitalitymagazine.com/feb10_herbfeat

  57. therese johnson

    Thank you very much, Vivian, we, your followers, are so lucky finding you. I had trouble at the beginning to change my habits, but slowly I change my way of eating and do more exercise. Now, if I want to make an Italian spaghetti, is there an alternative for using tomato, tomato juice, tomato paste in cans? I hope there is, cause it is one of my favorite dish with a big salad and some grated cheese…

  58. Dottie Athens

    Dear Vivian – thank you for your enormous commitment to our health and well being!! It would be fabulous to get this BPA information on Facebook and ask everyone to pass it along to their friends and families. Hopefully with enough pressure, and loss of sales, they will end this mass poisoning of our food supply.

  59. Mrs. Kim Mack

    Vivian:

    Interesting….I didn’t know about this at all. Thanks for the information and better options to consider. I will switch over to more frozen goods. This makes logical sense to me.
    I already have a bowel of fresh fruit always setting out… and bowel of healthy heart nut mix. I’m always impressed that you provide eating lifestyle alternatives. I really like it when you provide alternatives to food choices along with recipes.

    By the way I wanted to all my correction….I am now liking Almond Milk and preferred the unsweetened over the vanilla sweetened. This really makes pancakes even more moist.
    Your next book should be called……
    “Healthiness= Beliefs in Lifestyles.”
    KIM Mack, OHIO

  60. Betty

    Thanks for the information. More and more I am thankful for my garden. I agree with the comment that fresh carrots taste much better than baby carrots and have decided to stop buying the baby carrots.

    • donna chiulli

      are the baby carotts not good? is it true they are bleached> how do they do that and why?

  61. Ann

    Thanks for the information!

  62. mary t ball

    Thanks for info’ vivian on canned foods.
    I always try to eat fresh altho’ it’s not always possible. No way would I eat fruit/veg from Spain I heard they use raw sewerage to water. Hollands stuff is tasteless.

    mary

    • Mrs. Kim Mack

      I agree with you that one needs to be educated when traveling to other countries or purchasing the food from those countries who are poorer and lack proper sanitation to food, water or regulations. Their has been so many consumer alerts do to poor regulations and contamination of molds, bacteria etc… Recalls on tomatoes, peanut butter, lettuce etc…

  63. Monica Phillips

    many thanks for article. I’m glad to say I can’t remember when I last ate fruit from a tin. Monica Phillips

  64. lily

    Regardless of BPA, common sense tells that canned food is bad in general. It has no life and usually the list of chemicals is long.

  65. Ptricia Rudolph

    Thank U Vivian Great research on BPA and its
    dangers will do as U advise Do U know if cans
    used by so called health food stores such as
    Amy’s soups have this problemo???
    I am now using cartoned soups from wole foods
    and many frozen veggies if no good organic
    veggies are available resonably Wole Food market supposedly the cheapest for organic
    can be mighty expensive. Thanks again for
    all your help Will be doing a bone scan soon
    medicare only pays for it every two years.
    Love Patricia

  66. Kay

    It’s hard to find veg’s that are NOT from other countries. You don’t know what they water with or put on there crops.

  67. Deborah Dickason

    I just read the canned food alert email. I am wondering if even the organic canned foods have this problem? I just bought several cans of organic green beans. How in the world are we supposed to know if the cans contain this?

    • Nancy

      Eden may not use BPA.

  68. Denise R. Sanders

    Thank you very much for this information. I am eager to learn more about nutrition and osteoporosis.

  69. Veronica

    Thank you so very much for this important information for our health and well-being.
    Veronica

  70. Gaye

    The only canned food I use is organic beans and canned tomatoes – I would think that the health food companies would not be lining their cans with BPA – Am I right in this? Does anyone know the anser to this question. If the health compies are lining their cans with BPA – I give UP! Thanks!

    • Marilyn Ross

      I would love to know the answer to how safe is ORGANIC canned foods likewise organic soups in a box??I heard someone recently on T.V.say he would not eat anything that came out of a can or box. Very frustrating!!My cat would never eat farmed fish. Smart cat.My vet tells me they have trouble getting information from producers of food for animals. It is another not trusty worthy big business. Discouraging ,but do not give up.
      Consumers Reports & independents need our support . Good to have support & input of others. Hurrah for Vivian! Thank you to all!

  71. LINDA

    Thank you for sharing this very informative, wonderful article with us. This, indeed is very valuable information to share with our loved ones and friends.

    How fortunate for us that we have experts like you keeping us aware of important health issues.

  72. anne

    Thanks very much for info re: canned foods. I use very little canned foods. I do eat a lot of fresh fruit, especiallly grapes, and have read that fruit contains a lot of sugar and should not be eaten a lot. What do you think? I know the sugar is natural in fruits and really at a loss since we do eat a lot of fresh fruit. Would appreciate your comment. Thank you

    Anne

  73. Priscilla Trujillo

    Vivian you are an inspiration and your devotion to communicating wellness to everyone is so much appreciated. We are definately living in a chemical induced society and yes while just about everything we eat and drink have chemicals it is always a plus to know there are still ways to minimized intake. Thank you so much, keep writing I will keep reading!!

  74. charlotte

    Thanks for the info. I also understand that canned food for the most part has no energy and is basically dead food.

  75. Judi Robson

    A question about your suggestion of eating “baby carrots” – is there some process these carrots go through to make them “baby”? they are so well preserved. I was told they are pared down discards from the regular carrots and then they are washed in a bath of bleach to reinforce their colour. Any truth to this?

    • Sharp

      Who suggested eating baby carrots?

      I won’t touch baby carrots. Period.

      Go to Dr. Mercola’s web site and search for the article titled “Chlorine in Your Baby Carrots” dated July 28 2009
      or use this link https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/07/28/Chlorine-in-Your-Baby-Carrots.aspx

      Always do your research before you follow others’ suggestion.

      • Florence Iovene

        Nothing tastes better than organically grown carrots. So you peel them (or even just scrape them) and cut them to size. Cook them, a dollop of honey, a smidge of balsamic vinegar and a squirt of olive oil and your good to go! You never tasted anything so good. I buy them by the 5 pound bag. Flo!

        • Marsha York Dewhurst

          Hello there. Your recipe sounds delicious and fortunately for moi I have ALL those ingredients on hand!
          I will try it today!
          Thanks again.

          Marsha

      • Sharp

        Also, you can do an experiment yourself.

        Eat the regular carrot which does not have to be organic and the baby carrot as well. Can you tell the difference? I can. The REAL carrot tastes wonderful; it has certain sweetness.

        We can rely on our taste buds!!!

  76. Marianne Demay

    Thanks so much for the info on canned foods; you are our watchguard to help stay well, and
    I appreciate it, because where else would we
    find out this type of information without
    having access to scientific papers which
    wouldn’t happen. Thanks again.

    • Sharp

      BPA was on the news!!!

  77. Lucy

    Thanks for the great info to keep us informed!
    You are greatly appreciated!

  78. Erlinda Siaton

    Thanks for the article Vivian. I avoided canned foods. I am using my fozen veggies. I buy fresh fruits and wash it thoroughly to take out some of the pesticides. I read bad effects of plastics and other liners. Thank you.

  79. Katy

    Vivian, it’s ridiculous to say “all chemicals acidify your blood pH”. *All* food contains chemicals, it’s the way that nature works! For example, carbohydrates made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, and fructose itself also has its own chemical structure. The trouble with saying that all chemicals are acidifying is that many people reading will then think you are a bit stupid, or unreliable in your statements.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Clarification: when I write “chemicals” I refer to products (mostly man-made) that have no place in human biology.

    • Sharp

      I always do my own research extensively and refuse to listen to just one person.

      I have a few reliable web sites that I go to and I don’t bother with certain web sites.

      In my opinion, this is an excellent article on blood pH >>>> https://drbenkim.com/ph-body-blood-foods-acid-alkaline.htm

      Don’t develop phobia towards food. I have known about BPA for years. Again, variety and moderation.

      • Laura Wilensky

        Thanks for posting this link. It is very
        helpful in understanding the blood pH theories.

  80. Nancy

    Not aware of any frozen sardines. Wild salmon is expensive.

  81. Chloa

    I have been trying to use less canned vegetables and fruits. After a while it is gets easier to use fresh and the flavor is much better. Thanks for the information. Always enjoy your comments.

    Chloa

  82. Mildred Johnson

    I very seldom use canned fruits. I prefer everything fresh and raw.

  83. Carol Reed

    Thanks Vivian, for the great article. I always thought it was more about profit for the drug company’s than it was for the health of the people.It’s sad that the goverment allows it. Sometimes I think it’s for population control. I eat alot more fresh fruits and veggies now. My ph-strips show that I’am between 6.5 & 7.5. How soon can I get another density scan, my last one was July of 2009. Is it to soon to tell if my bones are getting stronger? thanks CAROL

  84. Celestina Marie

    Thank you for the information about canned foods. I will continue to try and use mostly fresh or frozen foods in my families meal planning. As always, you are so helpful and keeping us very well informed.
    Thank you,
    Blessings to you!

  85. Helen

    Very informative…..thanks a million! I shall shun canned foods after consuming the ones I have now.

  86. Cookie Miller

    As usual, vital information! Most important to know this is women (like me) who had estrogen positive breast cancer. I never knew that BPH is a synthetic form of estrogen. I have always avoided canned food since it is so high in salt.

  87. Mary Beth Akers

    What about home canned vegetables?

  88. Shirley

    What about the fruit in glass jars? Or, are you getting the same thing in that type of container?

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Glass containers don’t have BPA.

      • SERGIO MARTINEZ

        Oh! this was just what I was going to ask you. Vivian thank you very much for this clarification and for his warning in this article. It was very important for me to stay on guard.

  89. Marlene

    I thank you for the information. I have IBS and am lactose intollerant. My stomach is very sensitive.

    • JMR

      Try Okra Pepsin made by Standard Process for sensitive stomach. I had two ulcers and couldn’t eat a lot of things. I take okra pepsin regularly and do NOT have a sour stomach anymore.

    • Andrea Moore

      I also have IBS and can control the symptoms through selective diet. Have you tried this?
      Andrea

  90. Diana

    Many thanks for your wonderful job to inform us.

  91. Marie Pinschmidt

    In addition, I no longer use cow’s milk, substituting rice milk and occasionally soy. Okay?

  92. Marie Pinschmidt

    Another great article, Vivian. I’m attempting to replace all plastics in my kitchen with Pyrex or other glass containers.

    Also, your book has been a wonderful help to me in several ways. I have cut out the red meat in favor of chicken, fish, or seafood and can honestly say, I don’t miss the red, difficult to digest, meat. I do a lot of stir-fry with olive oil, using fresh vegetables (and vary them according to market)and light seasonings. Less meat and more veggies.My doctors are no longer suggesting meds for cholesterol, and I can’t wait to have my next bone density test.

    Thank you so much for keeping us in line.

  93. mary macgregor

    Thanks Vivian for the article on canned foods!!!!

  94. Cristina Ortt

    Thank you for the great information about canned food, for sure I will stay away from it.

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