Susan Brady, Health News, recently reported on a study documenting the presence of BPA in canned foods that target children.

A new study by the Breast Cancer Fund—a non-profit organization dedicated to identifying and eliminating environmental links to breast cancer—tested six child-targeted canned products for traces of BPA (bisphenol A).

Connie Engel, science education coordinator at the Breast Cancer Fund, said that the focus was on canned products “Specifically marketed to kids: either ones with pictures of favorite cartoon characters or labels that said something about kids….. The levels of BPA we found in these canned foods were a little higher than those previously found in baby bottles and water bottles.”

BPA can be most harmful in developing fetuses, newborns and young children. Research has shown the link between the exposure of BPA and the increased risks of diabetes and heart disease, as well an association between the exposure to BPA and being obese.

The products tested in the study were:

• Annie’s Homegrown Cheesy Ravioli
• Campbell’s Disney Princess Cool Shapes, Shaped Pasta with Chicken in Chicken Broth
• Campbell’s Spaghettios with Meatballs
• Campbell’s Toy Story Fun Shapes, Shaped Pasta with Chicken in Chicken Broth
• Chef Boyardee Whole Grain Pasta, Mini ABC’s & 123’s with Meatballs
• Earth’s Best Organic Elmo Noodlemania Soup

The FDA reviewed the risk of BPA in the past and the National Institute of Health has invested $30 million to study BPA. While some states and countries have banned the use of BPA, the United States has not.

It’s recommended that if you are feeding a young child canned foods, it would be best to avoid processed items and stick with a diet of fresh foods, to prevent further build-up of the BPA in the body. Testing has shown that by eliminating all BPA-related foodstuffs for even just a few days, you can reduce BPA levels by up to 60 percent.

To avoid exposure to BPA, look for products labeled BPA free. There are more products available now than ever with no BPA, but they may cost more than the same items that contain BPA.