Beans, Beans, The Magical Fruit: Eden Organic's BPA Free Cans

I was blissfully unaware of the existence of Bisphenol A (BPA) until I told my sister I was going shopping for teethers for Nate when he was about 3 or 4 months old. She casually mentioned that I needed to make sure that the ones I got were BPA free. Since I didn't know anything about BPA, I went to the computer. When I did a little internet research, I discovered that BPA was a chemical of concern for so many with children because it is believed to effect "the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and children" (see National Toxicology Program Findings) as well as cause a number of other significant health problems (see EWG Report from 2007). The FDA had long maintained that BPA was perfectly safe, but earlier this year finally announced it had some concern regarding the chemical (see Safe Mama's coverage of FDA turn around). So it makes sense for my family to try to avoid it when possible and pick safer alternatives.

The frustrating thing about BPA (and part of the concern) is that it is so widespread - in the lining of most cans, in the lids of jars, in plastic polycarbonate containers, even in toilet paper!  So I try to make sure that anything that goes into Nate's mouth is BPA free, in particular the food he eats. It was easier when the only solids he was eating were fruits and veggies. But now that he's onto proteins and finger foods, it's more of a challenge, as I've mentioned before. Nate won't eat any of the meat I have offered him, but luckily he does seem to like beans. I went out and bought all different kinds of the dried beans in bags, but I haven't been able to make it past the buying stage to the rinsing, sorting, soaking overnight and then cooking stage (too much work!). Which was why I am so excited to finally get my hands on canned beans from Eden Organic. According to their label all of their cans are made without BPA in the lining. They're a little more expensive and harder to find (I've only seem them at Whole Foods so far), but the piece of mind is worth it to me.