Bisphenol A or BPA is a chemical, which exists in thousands of products and which, according to scientists, can be harmful to our health. It can cause behavioral, developmental and even reproductive problems. According to the Environmental Working Group, the primary source of BPA for most people is canned foods.

If you take your health seriously, scientists suggest you avoid canned foods as much as possible.

BPA got a lot of media attention last year when it was found in baby bottles and plastic water bottles. Now a study shows that the amount of the chemical in cans is much higher and therefore, more dangerous.

The Environmental Working Group was able to test nearly a hundred brand-name can products and found that 1 in 10 canned foods and 1 in 3 infant food cans has enough BPA to “expose woman or infant to levels more than 200 times the government’s traditional safe level for industrial chemicals.”

According to the study, beverage cans have lower levels of BPA, when canned soups (especially chicken) and pasta have the highest.

What to do now?

If you don’t breastfeed your baby, buy powdered formulas, because the liquid ones, according to the study, had the highest amounts of BPA.

Choose glass jars instead of canned containers. Lids in glass jars contain BPA as well, but it is much lower than the amount in cans. Or, even better, choose fresh or frozen products.

Don’t eat canned foods if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.

Look for BPA-free cans.

Be cool, cook from scratch. Despite the popular belief, it is not that hard or time-consuming.