BPA Free Tomato Paste!!!
Update! Whole Foods is now carrying Bionaturae BPA-free tomato paste in jars. Woohoo!
About six months ago I realized that two of my favorite kitchen staples — organic tomato paste and black olives — contain BPA. As far as I could tell, there was no getting around it . . . The BPA is in the metal cans, and my beloved Whole Foods Market does not sell any tomato paste in glass jars. Bummer. The FDA won’t regulate BPA in food originating from canning, despite the danger it poses to people who eat it.
Time to get creative. I wasn’t about to serve my family BPA contaminated food. I started making my own tomato paste using this recipe and freezing the paste instead of canning it. It was okay, but less flavorful than what I’m used to. Plus, I am all for making things from scratch but it’s nice to be able to throw a quick meal together once in awhile! Recently, though, Gigi found two wonderful companies that sell organic tomato products in jars!
Bionatrae packages tomato paste and strained tomatoes in jars. I would avoid their canned products as they do contain BPA.
How do I get BPA-free Tomato Paste?
Neither are stocked in local stores, but you can buy the Bionaturae tomato paste and Bionaturae strained tomatoes on Amazon.
Lucini Italia Organics has 100% BPA-free foods packed in glass.
100% Organic Tuscan Harvest Plum Tomatoes – Diced, Peeled
100% Organic Tuscan Harvest Plum Tomatoes – Whole, Peeled
Check them out at http://www.lucini.com
What the heck is BPA, and why should I care?
Most people, before they adopt a new eating habit, tend to share the same thought: Everyone’s already eating SOME kind of canned food, right? It can’t be THAT bad.
Here’s an informative quote from an article on Mercola.com:
BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which means it mimics your body‘s natural hormones and can trigger major changes in your body. Of 115 published animal studies, 81 percent found significant effects from even low-level exposure to BPA.
Later in the article, Mercola says,
For this reason, women of childbearing age and those who are pregnant should be especially diligent at avoiding BPA, but practically no one is immune. A study last year found the chemical can lead to heart disease, diabetes and liver problems in adults, and previous research has linked BPA to:
• Structural damage to your brain
• Hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, and impaired learning
• Increased fat formation and risk of obesity
• Altered immune function
• Early puberty, stimulation of mammary gland development, disrupted reproductive cycles, and ovarian dysfunction• Changes in gender-specific behavior, and abnormal sexual behavior
• Stimulation of prostate cancer cells
• Increased prostate size, and decreased sperm production
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Liver damage
I hope you found this information helpful. Let me know!
Joanna Moore
i didn’t even know what bpa was! thanks for this info. one more thing to add to my “start eating healthier” list!
Heather
Glad you found the info helpful ; – )
Kate
loving your posts!
Heather
Thank you!
Kate
Also, I thought Muir Glen lined their cans so that they won’t leach. Am I wrong?
Heather
I haven’t contacted the company myself, but several sources that have say Muir Glen (a subsidiary of General Mills)does use “trace amounts” of BPA in their epoxy liners. Not sure how current the info is, all companies that confirmed they use BPA say they are “exploring other options.” Don’t know if they ever get around to implementing them.
Here’s a excerpt from a letter released by Muir Glen confirming their use of BPA:
“Thank you for contacting Muir Glen regarding bisphenol A in food packaging. Bisphenol A is a critical component of protective coatings used with metal food packaging and provides important quality and safety features for canned foods… The can coatings used in Muir Glen packaging comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements for use in food contact applications. These coatings have long played an essential part in food preservation, helping to maintain wholesomeness, nutritional value, and product quality.” Source: http://www.lavidalocavore.org/diary/2847/muir-glen-replies-to-consumer-letter-about-bpa-we-dont-care
Other helpful sources:
http://organicgrace.com/node/316
http://eight.pairlist.net/pipermail/psgc4coop/20070815/000147.html
Nicole
We switched to getting Pomi tomatoes in the box. I noticed at Central Market that they also had a tomato paste in a tube or box (can’t remember?). Anyhow, I am hoping these are also BPA free. Do you know?
Also, when you have a moment I would LOVE for you to post your knowledge about electromagnetic fields and that fancy necklace thingy you wear around your neck. : ) Very intriguing!
Beautiful blog, Heather. Great job!
Heather
I haven’t contacted the company myself, but it looks like the Pomi tomatoes are BPA free.
Source: http://thesoftlandingbaby.com/2010/01/14/bpa-free-tomatoes-do-exist/
Vanessa
thanks for the recommendations on where to buy the paste in a jar!
Heather
You’re welcome! So good to reconnect with you, Vanessa ; – )
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