The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) routine testing of various food products revealed that all infant formulae and foods tested for Bisphenol A (BPA) were free from BPA and safe to consume.
BPA is a chemical used in the production of polycarbonate and epoxy resins. The use of BPA in food packaging materials is allowed in Canada.
Food and beverage packaging such as metal cans may be internally coated with epoxy resins to protect food from direct contact with metal. BPA can migrate from the epoxy coatings into food particularly at high temperatures for instance in hot-filled or heat-processed canned foods.
As part of the testing which was conducted in 2010-11, the CFIA assessed 234 samples of domestic and imported infant formulae and foods which included 127 dairy and soy infant formula samples, 92 processed, pre-packaged fruit product samples, and 15 fruit juice samples.
Various food packaging materials were sampled, particularly those expected to have epoxy coatings including plastic, paperboard coated with waterproof plastic, paperboard cans with metal ends, metal cans, and glass jars with metal lids.
BPA was not detected in any of the samples tested and no recalls were required.
Canada's federal department Health Canada has concluded that the dietary exposure to BPA through food packaging is not expected to pose any health risk to the general population, including newborns and young children.
Although there is no established maximum level, tolerance or standard for BPA in foods in the country, the federal department has set a provisional tolerable daily intake for BPA of 0.025 mg/kg body weight/day.
