Overview

What is canned food?

Canned food is food that is processed and preserved in a can, and canning food allows food contents to last longer, usually for 1-5 years. The three main steps when canning food are processing, sealing, and heating. Processing involves preparing the canned food by chopping, peeling, slicing, etc. Then, the processed food is sealed in cans. After this, the cans are heated in order to kill pathogens that could spoil the food. Common canned foods include baked beans, canned meat, canned fruits and vegetables, and canned soup. Canned foods are commonly used in European and American household for their convenience and short preparation time, and the use of canned food is quickly spreading to other countries such as Australia, Brazil, and China.

What is causing an increase in the amount of canned food used?

The amount of canned food used is increasing mainly because canned food saves a lot of time and money. In fact, according to the Can Manufacturers Institute (http://www.cancentral.com/foodcans/Accessible-Affordable), canned food can cost up to 50% less than frozen foods and 20% less that fresh foods. Additionally, approximately two-thirds of mothers believe canned fruits and vegetables not only save time, but also help create healthy, homemade meals. This statement is half true; canned food does save time, but does not create a healthy meal. In reality, canned food generally has serious negative effects on the health of the consumer.

What are the negative health effects of canned food?

First of all, canned foods could possibly contain Bisphenol-A, also known as BPA, which is a chemical that is linked with heart disease such as angina and hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and infertility in men and women. Second, canned foods may also contain extremely harmful bacteria. One such bacteria is Clostridium Botulinum, which is known to cause a disease called botulism. Botulism is such a deadly disease that it can cause paralysis and even death in the victim’s body. Last, but not least, canned foods have excess salt, sugar, and preservatives. Extra salt is bad for those that have hypertension and extra sugar can eventually lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes. The International Agency for the Research of Cancer (IARC) (https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/86049/cancer-information/general-information-cancer-information/cancer-questions-myths/food-and-drink/food-preservatives-do-not-cause-cancer/) found that sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite, commonly used preservatives, are probably carcinogenic.