Heinz, ConAgra, others halt use of BPA in food packaging

Leading brand name food and beverage companies, including those who make Healthy Choice and Chef Boyardee, have begun phasing out the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) amid growing consumer and regulatory concern about the health risk it poses, a new report says.

The report, by environmental investor firm Green Century Capital Management and shareholder advocacy group As You Sow, surveyed 26 companies in the food, beverage and retail sectors on how they were responding to mounting public pressure to restrict the use of BPA. The chemical is commonly found in the lining of food and beverage cans and is linked to serious chronic diseases.