Campbell Soup Co will soon stop using the chemical Bisphenol A in its canned products.
The company said it will remove the substance by the middle of next year to reassure consumers worried about possible health risks.
The action is a response to concerns that the commonly used chemical known as BPA raises the risk of cancer, brain damage and hormonal problems.
The US Food and Drug Administration maintains that BPA is safe at the current levels used in food.
After more than 40 years of using the chemical, Campbell still believes that BPA is among the world’s safest packaging options.
Nevertheless, the New Jersey company began studying alternatives to BPA in 2012.
After extensive testing, Campbell said all its soups, gravies, Swanson broth and SpaghettiOs pasta are beginning to switch to cans without BPA linings.
About 75 per cent of Campbell’s soups will be sold in non-BPA cans by the end of this year, according to the company.
“Our priority throughout this transition has been, and will continue to be, food safety,” said Mike Mulshine, Campbell’s senior program manager of packaging.
In most instances, Campbell is trying to replace BPA with acrylic and polyester options.
Other manufacturers, including the makers of baby bottles, have been abandoning BPA, too.
