The Lowdown on Canned Chickpeas: Keep an Eye Out for Harmful Substances
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Chickpeas are a nutritious powerhouse, offering protein and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, plus minerals like magnesium, iron, and zinc. These little legumes are especially convenient when canned, but beware, they may harbor harmful substances like heavy metals, pesticides, and Bisphenol A (BPA).
Whilst raw chickpeas contain the toxin phasin, canning helps neutralize this toxin. However, some can lining materials can leach harmful substances into the food.
In a study by the Austrian Association for Consumer Information (VKI), 25 canned chickpea products were examined for contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, and BPA. The test found that 6 out of the 25 met their standards, all packaged in glass jars. Regrettably, the remaining 18 products contained BPA. This chemical can migrate from the epoxy resins used in can linings to food. BPA has been linked to reduced fertility, increased breast cancer risk, obesity, and behavioral issues in children [1]. Furthermore, three of the examined products contained excessive amounts of nickel, worsening symptoms for people with existing contact allergies.
If you're shopping for canned chickpeas in Germany, the following brands offer safe and recommended options:
- dm Bio Chickpeas - Net weight: 350g, Drain weight: 220g
- Dennree Chickpeas - Net weight: 350g, Drain weight: 250g
- Alnatura Chickpeas - Net weight: 330g, Drain weight: 220g
- Marschland Demeter Bio Chickpeas - Net weight: 330g, Drain weight: 220g
When it comes to cutting down on chemical exposure, there are alternatives to canned chickpeas.
- Dried Chickpeas: For an entirely safe option, opt for dried chickpeas and soak and boil them yourself. This eliminates the risks associated with can linings [2].
- BPA-Free Canned Chickpeas: If convenience matters, select BPA-free canned chickpeas with the label indicating a BPA-free lining. If the label does not specify, reach out to the company for more information [3].
- Frozen or Glass-Packaged Legumes: For acidic foods, choose glass containers or frozen versions, as they don't contain metal linings that might leach toxins [4].
Additional tips to reduce chemical exposure from canned foods include avoiding highly acidic contents, choosing organic options, and seeking out low sodium and no-added-sugar varieties [5].
[1] Source: ntv.de, awi
- Food
- Consumer
- Health
- Stiftung Warentest
[1] https://www.awelivetober.de/gesundheit/storeenntragerfrei-ist-besser?utm_source=vivino&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=blog-newsletter[2] https://www.organicauthority.com/organic-food/canned-food-toxins-what-you-need-to-know/[3] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-best-and-worst-canned-goods-to-eat[4] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/the-dangers-of-bisphenol-a-bpa/[5] https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-tips-for-safer-canned-food-choices
- In the pursuit of health-and-wellness, it's crucial to be aware of the substances found in canned food, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), which can migrate from epoxy resins used in can linings and may pose health risks, including reduced fertility, increased breast cancer risk, obesity, and behavioral issues in children.
- As part of a science-informed community policy, consumers can make informed decisions by opting for BPA-free canned food products or seeking organic options to limit their exposure to harmful chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals.
- To adhere to a healthy lifestyle and maintain proper nutrition, one can consider alternatives to canned chickpeas, like dried chickpeas, BPA-free canned chickpeas, or frozen or glass-packaged legumes, to minimize the risks associated with chemicals in food.
