Getting to the truth about canned foods
can assuage some of those concerns
and help those on the fence stock up on
these budget-friendly staples.
Canned food myths debunked
COURIER L M BR B G IFE, APRIL 5–11, 2019 45
Health
The affordability of canned foods entices
many people to stock up on the essentials.
However, there are some people who still
harbor concerns about the safety of canned
foods. Getting to the truth about canned foods
can assuage some of those concerns and help
those on the fence stock up on these budgetfriendly
staples:
Myth #1: Canned foods are not
as healthy as fresh foods.
Fresh foods, once harvested, have a finite
shelf life. Plus, once fruit or vegetables are
picked, their vitamin and mineral content decreases
each day that they are not consumed.
Many canned foods are picked and processed on
the same day, helping to retain nutrients at their
peak and lock them in for many months.
Also, according to the Hy-Vee supermarket
chain, sometimes canned foods are packed with
additional nutrients, such as increased lycopene
in canned tomatoes.
Myth #2: They are full of
preservatives.
The perception that canned foods are “processed”
foods often leads people to believe
they’re full of unsavory ingredients. The term
processing is used to describe any food that has
been changed from its natural form. So removing
corn from a cob counts as processing, as is
baking or boiling potatoes.
Canned foods are preserved by heating the
items and sealing them under pressure. No other
preservatives are needed to keep them fresh.
Myth #3: Can linings are
dangerous.
There has been controversy concerning BPAcontaining
plastics for many years. Even though
the Food and Drug Administration, as well as
other international food safety agencies, has
evaluated the extensive body of science and continue
to affirm BPA’s safety in food packaging,
some manufacturers are voluntarily moving
away from it.
Consumers can find many foods packed in
cans with non-BPA linings. However, even foods
packaged in BPA are considered safe for consumption.
Myth #4: Canned foods are full
of sodium.
Some canned foods will contain salt as an
added ingredient to improve taste and act as a
freshness preservative. But canned foods do not
rank among the biggest offenders in regard to
excessive amounts of sodium.
In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention released a study that identified the
top 10 food categories that contribute to high sodium
diets. Pizza, cured meats, cold cuts, and
rolls made the list, while canned foods did not.
Myth #5: They do not taste
good.
Because foods are canned when they are at
peak freshness and ripeness after harvest, they
retain full f lavor if properly stored.
Myth #6: All dented cans are
unsafe.
Cans can become dented in transit. Drop a
can and it will dent. But that doesn’t necessarily
mean foods inside dented cans are unsafe to
eat. If a can is bulging or if the top or bottom
of the can moves or makes a popping sound, the
seal has probably been broken or compromised
by bacteria and should be thrown out.
Canned foods are safe and can make for valuable
additions to any pantry.