Concerns about canned fruits and vegetables are unfounded

Shoppers who don’t purchase canned fruits and vegetables say it is because they are less healthy and have ‘added preservatives or artificial ingredients.’ In reality, added sugar or sodium are the primary added ingredients to these products and ‘no-sodium’ or ‘packed 100% juice’ versions are readily available.

Concern has also been expressed about the use of bisphenol-A (BPA) found in the lining of canned food containers, despite FDA stating that BPA is safe to use in food-contact materials. In response to consumer concerns, however, many can manufacturers have already discontinued their use of BPA.

Fruits and vegetables do not contribute significantly to Americans’ sugar and sodium intake, regardless of the form in which they are consumed. In fact, all canned, frozen, and dried fruits contribute less than two percent of the added sugar in most Americans’ diets, and vegetables add less than one percent of the sodium.

Source:  More Matters