Why Glass-Packaged Chickpeas Trumps Canned: Warnings on Chemicals
Consultation Regarding the Following Matters by the Commission
When it comes to chickpeas, they're a healthy powerhouse, packed with vitamins, minerals, and proteins. But the convenience of pre-cooked, canned, or Tetra Pak chickpeas might come with a hidden catch, according to Stiftung Warentest.
Instead, grab those glass-jarred beauties. Why? Let's dive in.
Watch Out for BPA
In a test by the Austrian Association for Consumer Information (VKI), 25 ready-to-eat chickpea products were put under the spotlight. The focus? Contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, nickel, and bisphenol A (BPA).
The verdict? Out of 25 products, only the six sold in glass were praised. Unfortunately, all 18 cans tested contained BPA, a chemical known for its ability to leach from can linings into food.
BPA has been associated with hormonal effects on humans and the environment. It's linked to reproductive issues, increased breast cancer risk, obesity, and behavioral problems in children.
Nickel Could be an Issue Too
Three products turned out to have substantial amounts of nickel, a metal that can exacerbate symptoms in existing contact allergies if present in food.
Safer Chickpeas in Glass
So, what makes glass-packaged chickpeas the go-to option? Well, as far as BPA is concerned, glass containers don't need BPA-containing linings, reducing the risk of chemical leaching.
As for nickel, glass is inert, minimizing any contribution to contamination.
Top Picks in Germany
Interested in the best glass-packaged chickpeas in Germany? Here are four options you might want to try:
- dm Bio Chickpeas - Content: 350g, Drain weight: 220g
- Dennree Chickpeas - Content: 350g, Drain weight: 250g
- Alnatura Chickpeas - Content: 330g, Drain weight: 220g
- Marschland Demeter Bio Chickpeas - Content: 330g, Drain weight: 220g
They range in price between approximately 40 to 95 cents per 100g drain weight.
Choosing glass-packaged chickpeas is a smarter choice to minimize exposure to BPA and nickel compared to canned ones. Keep in mind that this advice applies to chickpeas specifically, not all food products.
Insights:
BPA in Canned Foods
Many canned foods are lined with materials that historically contained BPA, a chemical that can leach into the food. This chemical poses several health risks, including behavioral problems, cancer development, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, making glass packaging a safer choice.
Glass Packaging Advantages
Glass containers do not require BPA-containing linings and do not pose the same risk of chemical leaching. Therefore, foods packaged in glass, such as chickpeas, avoid any exposure to BPA entirely, making them a safer choice from this perspective.
Nickel Content
Some canned foods can contribute to nickel exposure due to the metal content of cans. In contrast, glass containers, being inert, do not contribute to nickel contamination.
- The community should consider revising their policies regarding food packaging, particularly focusing on reducing the use of BPA-containing linings in canned foods, as it has been associated with several health risks.
- Health-and-wellness enthusiasts may want to prioritize nutrition and supplement their diets with healthier food options, such as choosing glass-packaged chickpeas over canned ones to minimize exposure to BPA and nickel.
- Fitness-and-exercise aficionados, who might be concerned about their overall fitness and well-being, should bear in mind that choosing glass-packaged foods, like chickpeas, could reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals like BPA.
- Therapies-and-treatments specialists, who work towards improving patients' health, could recommend glass-packaged chickpeas as a safer food option, as they avoid exposure to BPA and nickel, potentially minimizing the risk of health issues linked to these chemicals.
