Beware of Canned Tomatoes

[gruntlabor]

Canned or jarred tomatoes are said to be among the unhealthiest foods. Because of their acidity they leach into the toxic sealers found in the can or jar lids (especially aluminum). I don't know this to be gospel, but I've seen the effects of certain foods on aluminum foil. So, for me, no more canned tomatoes.
Here's an easy recipe for:
Combination Tomato Sauce, Salsa, Pizza Sauce, Spaghetti Sauce (aka Marinara), Salad Dressing (add vinegar and oil)*
INGREDIENTS
5 large RIPE Roma (or other) tomatoes
chopped onion
spices: basil, oregano, chili powder. Black pepper and ginger are optional
a little garlic, not too overpoweringly much! You can always add more' to your finished dish.
vinegar (apple-cider vinegar is best)
a little olive oil
a little red wine
brown sugar (can substitute granulated sugar or molasses)
thickener (flour or corn starch) is optional
PROCESS
Blanch or broil, and peel tomatoes. Chop and place in a saucepan on low fire.
Add chopped onion, spices, olive oil, and vinegar to taste.
If using thickener, place two teaspoons in a jar with a little water, seal, and shake well. Add to sauce.
Cover and turn the fire up a little.
Simmer for an hour or so, stirring regularly. Add a little water if needed.
Now add a scant teaspoon of sweetener, stir and taste. Add a little more sweetener and more spices if needed
Cover and simmer another hour.
Place in 8-ounce jars leaving plenty of head space. Cover lightly and cool. DO NOT SEAL as jars can explode! Store right-side up in freezer.
*Note: May be reduced (cooked down) and smoothed in a blender for catsup or tomato puree.

 

[hollydolly]

I've never liked cooked tomatoes, so I only ever have fresh tomatoes..thank goodness...

 

[palides2021]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Supernatural]

All my tomato cans have a white lining which is supposed to protect the acidity coming in contact with the tins materials. I've known them that way since the 70s. That's all I know, can't remember when it was introduced, sorry!

 

[hearlady]

All my tomato cans have a white lining which is supposed to protect the acidity coming in contact with the tins materials. I've known them that way since the 70s. That's all I know, can't remember when it was introduced, sorry!

Yes. Look for the white lining. I've read that canned tomatoes have more lycopene than fresh which helps prevent cancer. I wouldn't cut them out completely.

 

[gruntlabor]

All my tomato cans have a white lining which is supposed to protect the acidity coming in contact with the tins materials. I've known them that way since the 70s. That's all I know, can't remember when it was introduced, sorry!

I don't think I trust that white lining, I try to avoid canned, and any prepared products as much as possible.

 

[Bella]

All my tomato cans have a white lining which is supposed to protect the acidity coming in contact with the tins materials. I've known them that way since the 70s. That's all I know, can't remember when it was introduced, sorry!

I don't think I trust that white lining, I try to avoid canned, and any prepared products as much as possible.

I can't remember the last time I bought tomatoes in a tin can.

The white lining is baked-on oleoresinous c-enamel…in other words, their cans don’t have any traces of BPS, vinyl, acrylic, polyester, or any other icky stuff.

Eden Foods - Pioneer of Bisphenol-A (BPA) Free Food Cans > https://www.edenfoods.com/about/bpafree.php

Excerpt from the above article: "Eden Foods became alarmed by the toxicity of bisphenol-A (BPA) in cans and food packaging long before it made it to mainstream news. Since April of 1999, EDEN beans have featured a custom made can lined with an oleoresinous c-enamel that does not contain the endocrine disrupter BPA. Oleoresin is a mixture of oil and resin extracted from plants such as pine or balsam fir."

Tetra Paks vs. Canned Foods — Avoiding BPA and BPS > Tetra Paks vs. Canned Foods — Avoiding BPA and BPS – Beller Nutrition

But what exactly is BPA and BPS?​

"BPA and BPS, or bisphenol A and bisphenol S respectively, are chemicals that are used in the production of “soft” (i.e. flexible) plastics and the linings of some metal products. The danger in using these chemicals in the production of food containers is that the chemicals from the container can seep to the food inside it, which can cause some negative health effects. In fact, a growing body of research has already linked BPA and BPS exposure to: impaired brain function, memory and learning, depression, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, and fertility problems.

The Food and Drug Administration maintains that very low levels of BPA or BPS are safe. However, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly every American has BPA and/or BPS in their system. Since we don’t know how much BPA or BPS you can be exposed to before increasing your risk for all of these problems, it can’t hurt to reduce your exposure. Choosing BPA- and BPS-free containers is one small way to reduce the risk of a potentially big health concern.

Many packaged food brands are switching from BPA- and/or BPS-containing cans to Tetra Pak packaging…and for good reason! Tetra Pak offers the same healthy, cost-effective, and easy-to-prepare products minus the BPA or BPS. I recommend using these paperboard cartons as a safer alternative to cans!

How do you know if a container has BPA or BPS?​

Just check the recycle code! If the container has a number 3 or 7 recycle code — it contains BPA or BPS and should go back on the shelf. Otherwise, the container is BPA- and BPS-free and you’re safe to add what you’re holding to your cart.

To help make your grocery shopping experience easier though, here’s exactly what you should be doing.

• Look out for brands that use Tetra Paks like: Simply Balanced, Imagine Foods, Pacific Foods, Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value
• Obtain your food from the freshest source aka the one that’s the least processed/packaged! Dried organic beans are less likely to be contaminated with hormone disruptors than those from cans. Sprouted dried beans take only 5-10 minutes to cook.
• Look for glass containers when possible. FYI, the lids for glass jars do contain BPA, so leave that extra sauce or liquid that’s stuck on the lid behind!
• When you have no other option but to buy canned beans, choose the Eden Organics brand. Their cans are lined with baked-on oleoresinous c-enamel…in other words, their cans don’t have any traces of BPS, vinyl, acrylic, polyester, or any other icky stuff. As for tomatoes, I try my hardest to only buy them in tetra paks or glass packaging.

Of course, the realist in me realizes that when you eat out or eat at a friend’s, you may encounter foods from such containers. The lesson here though, is to simply minimize your usage of these containers. Don’t worry — you don’t have to give up your favorite restaurant or stop attending dinner parties any time soon. After all, it’s what you do most of the time, not sometimes, that makes the difference."

There are several brands of tomatoes available in tetra-paks.



Where to Find BPA-Free Tomatoes & Beans > Where to Find BPA-Free Tomatoes & Beans

Bella

 

[gruntlabor]

I can't remember the last time I bought tomatoes in a tin can.

The white lining is baked-on oleoresinous c-enamel…in other words, their cans don’t have any traces of BPS, vinyl, acrylic, polyester, or any other icky stuff.

Eden Foods - Pioneer of Bisphenol-A (BPA) Free Food Cans > https://www.edenfoods.com/about/bpafree.php

Excerpt from the above article: "Eden Foods became alarmed by the toxicity of bisphenol-A (BPA) in cans and food packaging long before it made it to mainstream news. Since April of 1999, EDEN beans have featured a custom made can lined with an oleoresinous c-enamel that does not contain the endocrine disrupter BPA. Oleoresin is a mixture of oil and resin extracted from plants such as pine or balsam fir."

Tetra Paks vs. Canned Foods — Avoiding BPA and BPS > Tetra Paks vs. Canned Foods — Avoiding BPA and BPS – Beller Nutrition

But what exactly is BPA and BPS?​

"BPA and BPS, or bisphenol A and bisphenol S respectively, are chemicals that are used in the production of “soft” (i.e. flexible) plastics and the linings of some metal products. The danger in using these chemicals in the production of food containers is that the chemicals from the container can seep to the food inside it, which can cause some negative health effects. In fact, a growing body of research has already linked BPA and BPS exposure to: impaired brain function, memory and learning, depression, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, and fertility problems.

The Food and Drug Administration maintains that very low levels of BPA or BPS are safe. However, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly every American has BPA and/or BPS in their system. Since we don’t know how much BPA or BPS you can be exposed to before increasing your risk for all of these problems, it can’t hurt to reduce your exposure. Choosing BPA- and BPS-free containers is one small way to reduce the risk of a potentially big health concern.

Many packaged food brands are switching from BPA- and/or BPS-containing cans to Tetra Pak packaging…and for good reason! Tetra Pak offers the same healthy, cost-effective, and easy-to-prepare products minus the BPA or BPS. I recommend using these paperboard cartons as a safer alternative to cans!

How do you know if a container has BPA or BPS?​

Just check the recycle code! If the container has a number 3 or 7 recycle code — it contains BPA or BPS and should go back on the shelf. Otherwise, the container is BPA- and BPS-free and you’re safe to add what you’re holding to your cart.

To help make your grocery shopping experience easier though, here’s exactly what you should be doing.

• Look out for brands that use Tetra Paks like: Simply Balanced, Imagine Foods, Pacific Foods, Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value
• Obtain your food from the freshest source aka the one that’s the least processed/packaged! Dried organic beans are less likely to be contaminated with hormone disruptors than those from cans. Sprouted dried beans take only 5-10 minutes to cook.
• Look for glass containers when possible. FYI, the lids for glass jars do contain BPA, so leave that extra sauce or liquid that’s stuck on the lid behind!
• When you have no other option but to buy canned beans, choose the Eden Organics brand. Their cans are lined with baked-on oleoresinous c-enamel…in other words, their cans don’t have any traces of BPS, vinyl, acrylic, polyester, or any other icky stuff. As for tomatoes, I try my hardest to only buy them in tetra paks or glass packaging.

Of course, the realist in me realizes that when you eat out or eat at a friend’s, you may encounter foods from such containers. The lesson here though, is to simply minimize your usage of these containers. Don’t worry — you don’t have to give up your favorite restaurant or stop attending dinner parties any time soon. After all, it’s what you do most of the time, not sometimes, that makes the difference."

There are several brands of tomatoes available in tetra-paks.



Where to Find BPA-Free Tomatoes & Beans > Where to Find BPA-Free Tomatoes & Beans

Bella

Thank you for that, Bella. And for your hard work.

 

[Bella]

Thank you for that, Bella. And for your hard work.

You're welcome, Ms. gruntlabor. I hope it's helpful.

 

[katlupe]

This is what I found when I researched it. This article indicates that none of the cans have BPA in and haven't for a long time now. It also points out that canned tomatoes maybe be more nutritious than fresh. I just believe in keeping an open mind and do what is right for you.

"Despite concerns that there is BPA in the lining of cans of tomatoes, the USA Canned Tomato Industry stopped using BPA years ago."

Are Canned Tomatoes Good or Bad - Food Network

 

[gruntlabor]

This is what I found when I researched it. This article indicates that none of the cans have BPA in and haven't for a long time now. It also points out that canned tomatoes maybe be more nutritious than fresh. I just believe in keeping an open mind and do what is right for you.

"Despite concerns that there is BPA in the lining of cans of tomatoes, the USA Canned Tomato Industry stopped using BPA years ago."

Are Canned Tomatoes Good or Bad - Food Network

Yes. Maybe two reasons canned tomatoes are more nutritious than raw are 1) the product is cooked, releasing more nutrients, and 2) the product has been evaporated, making the nutrients more concentrated. Anyway, we can accomplish both those goals with home-made as well as with store-bought. Thank you, katlupe --good to know.

 

[StarSong]

Thank you @katlupe. I was going to post something very similar but you saved me the trouble.

 

[Bella]

This is what I found when I researched it. This article indicates that none of the cans have BPA in and haven't for a long time now. It also points out that canned tomatoes maybe be more nutritious than fresh. I just believe in keeping an open mind and do what is right for you.

"Despite concerns that there is BPA in the lining of cans of tomatoes, the USA Canned Tomato Industry stopped using BPA years ago."

Are Canned Tomatoes Good or Bad - Food Network

What the above Food Network article fails to mention is that while companies haven't been using BPA for a long time, what they don't tell you is that many have replaced it with BPS or BPF. That's why it's still important to choose better packaging like enamel lined cans, glass jars, and tetra-paks.

My first post was long, so I didn't include this info, now I see I should have. Sadly, there's much more to the story. Where Bisphenols are concerned, it's not just cans that we need to be concerned about.

The below articles are worth reading.

From The National Library of Medicine - Bisphenol S in Food Causes Hormonal and Obesogenic Effects Comparable to or Worse than Bisphenol A: A Literature Review > Bisphenol S in Food Causes Hormonal and Obesogenic Effects Comparable to or Worse than Bisphenol A: A Literature Review

Bisphenols in Food > https://cdnmedia.eurofins.com/corporate-eurofins/media/12151523/bisphenols.pdf

From The Environmental Working Group - BPA Update: Tracking the Canned Food Phaseout > BPA Update: Tracking the Canned Food Phaseout

From NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) - 4 Ways to Avoid Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging > 4 Ways to Avoid Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging

Beer and Soda Companies Still Coat Cans With BPA Because They Don’t Care About Consumer Health >Beer and Soda Companies Still Coat Cans With BPA Because They Don’t Ca – UMZU

 

[Bella]

This is what I found when I researched it. This article indicates that none of the cans have BPA in and haven't for a long time now. It also points out that canned tomatoes maybe be more nutritious than fresh. I just believe in keeping an open mind and do what is right for you.

Yes. Maybe two reasons canned tomatoes are more nutritious than raw are 1) the product is cooked, releasing more nutrients, and 2) the product has been evaporated, making the nutrients more concentrated. Anyway, we can accomplish both those goals with home-made as well as with store-bought. Thank you, katlupe --good to know.

This is a very interesting article from The National Library of Medicine if you can manage to read through it. It hits this subject from all sides.

Are Processed Tomato Products as Nutritious as Fresh Tomatoes? Scoping Review on the Effects of Industrial Processing on Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds in Tomatoes > Are Processed Tomato Products as Nutritious as Fresh Tomatoes? Scoping Review on the Effects of Industrial Processing on Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds in Tomatoes

 

[Remy]

Oh I do buy tomato sauce on occasion. No more I guess. I get pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce in jars.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I've heard canned, but not jarred. Does the jarred include pasta sauce? Perhaps they are talking about plastic jars. Oh well...Francesco Rinaldi is my favorite and it's in plastic jars. And since I'm clumsy, glass jars intimidate me.

 

[chic]

Yes. Look for the white lining. I've read that canned tomatoes have more lycopene than fresh which helps prevent cancer. I wouldn't cut them out completely.

Where'd you learn that @hearlady? I didn't know that. If someone still doesn't want canned tomatoes they can get their lycopene from watermelon.

 

[Paladin1950]

I always buy a can of 14 ounce Diced Tomatoes for when I make my chilli.

 

[Bella]

I've heard canned, but not jarred. Does the jarred include pasta sauce? Perhaps they are talking about plastic jars. Oh well...Francesco Rinaldi is my favorite and it's in plastic jars. And since I'm clumsy, glass jars intimidate me.

Dear Diva, plastic is no bueno.

BPA-Free Plastic Containers May Be Just as Hazardous > BPA-Free Plastic Containers May Be Just as Hazardous

Excerpt from the above article -

"In 2012 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of baby bottles that contain bisphenol A (BPA), a compound frequently found in plastics. The ban came after manufacturers’ responded to consumer concerns of BPA's safety after several studies found the chemical mimics estrogen and could harm brain and reproductive development in fetuses, infants and children.* Since then store shelves have been lined with BPA-free bottles for babies and adults alike. Yet, recent research reveals that a common BPA replacement, bisphenol S (BPS), may be just as harmful.

BPA is the starting material for making polycarbonate plastics. Any leftover BPA that is not consumed in the reaction used to make a plastic container can leach into its contents. From there it can enter the body. BPS was a favored replacement because it was thought to be more resistant to leaching. If people consumed less of the chemical, the idea went, it would not cause any or only minimal harm.

Yet BPS is getting out. Nearly 81 percent of Americans have detectable levels of BPS in their urine. And once it enters the body it can affect cells in ways that parallel BPA. A 2013 study by Cheryl Watson at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that even picomolar concentrations (less than one part per trillion) of BPS can disrupt a cell’s normal functioning, which could potentially lead to metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity, asthma, birth defects or even cancer. “[Manufacturers] put ‘BPA-free’ on the label, which is true. The thing they neglected to tell you is that what they’ve substituted for BPA has not been tested for the same kinds of problems that BPA has been shown to cause. That’s a little bit sneaky,” Watson says."

 

[StarSong]

This is a very interesting article from The National Library of Medicine if you can manage to read through it. It hits this subject from all sides.

Are Processed Tomato Products as Nutritious as Fresh Tomatoes? Scoping Review on the Effects of Industrial Processing on Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds in Tomatoes > Are Processed Tomato Products as Nutritious as Fresh Tomatoes? Scoping Review on the Effects of Industrial Processing on Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds in Tomatoes

Truly "fresh" tomatoes are only available a couple of months a year, if that. Most are picked very green and gassed to look ripe, which is why they look good but taste like watery cardboard.

For sauce, I buy canned tomatoes. Been eating them all my life. For as long as I can remember my (Italian) grandmother and mother used them on a regular basis and both lived into their 90s.

I'm not worried.

Yes, tomatoes (and some other acidic foods) react with aluminum foil. Cooking a tomato based food in an aluminum pot or covering a tomato based dish with aluminum foil are rookie mistake that few make more than once.

 

[hearlady]

Where'd you learn that @hearlady? I didn't know that. If someone still doesn't want canned tomatoes they can get their lycopene from watermelon.

I've read it in various articles.
Are Canned Tomatoes Good or Bad?

I love watermelon!

 

[Bella]

Truly "fresh" tomatoes are only available a couple of months a year, if that. Most are picked very green and gassed to look ripe, which is why they look good but taste like watery cardboard.

For sauce, I buy canned tomatoes. Been eating them all my life. For as long as I can remember my (Italian) grandmother and mother used them on a regular basis and both lived into their 90s.

I'm not worried.

Yes, tomatoes (and some other acidic foods) react with aluminum foil. Cooking a tomato based food in an aluminum pot or covering a tomato based dish with aluminum foil are rookie mistake that few make more than once.

Of course, fresh tomatoes are not available year-round. The article I posted above discusses the nutritional value of fresh vs. processed tomatoes.

My (Italian) grandmother, mother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends used both fresh, in season, tomatoes by the bushel and also canned tomatoes in their recipes. As do I. In the past, people were unaware of the chemicals used in food packaging. Would it have mattered to them? Would they have worried about it? Who knows? You can't worry about something if you're not aware of it.

Whether someone worries about the chemicals used in the containers of the food they buy is up to them; the facts are available from credible sources for all to read so that they can make an educated decision.