ConAgra Foods, Inc. announced this week the company will no longer use cans with Bisphenol (BPA) liners. The transition affects all of the company’s facilities in the US and Canada.
According to ConAgra, the company began canning some food in non-BPA lined cans in 2010, but some food required a different approach because of acidity and other characteristics.
In search of longer-lasting and economical packaging, ConAgra turned to Ardagh Group to supply the company with non-BPA lined cans. The new cans are made using advanced technologies that allow for use of different coating systems using polyester or acrylic materials that do not contain BPA. Recently more companies have announced they will move away from BPA as a response to increasing consumer demand to do so.
As of Thursday, all company foods canned in the US or Canada—including Hunt’s, Reddi-wip, RO*TEL, Van Camps, Libby’s, PAM and Chef Boyardee—will l be packaged in non-BPA lined cans. ConAgra said it does import into the US and Canada a small quantity of canned products with BPA liners and is working with the suppliers of these products to convert to non-BPA liners by early 2016.
“Our ongoing commitment to consumers means that we constantly work to improve our packaging to assure quality and the overall experience,” said Gail Tavill, vice president, Packaging & Sustainable Productivity, ConAgra Foods. “We recognize consumer interest in removing BPA from our cans and are pleased to be able to respond to that desire and offer food that our consumers can feel confident in.”
