Should pregnant women avoid canned tomato sauce?
Yes. Acidic canned tomato pulls the most BPA out of can liners of any common food.
What's actually in it
Steel cans used for food are lined with epoxy resin, most of which is made from bisphenol A (BPA). Acidic foods (tomatoes, pickles, pineapple) pull BPA out of the liner faster than neutral foods. Long shelf life means extra migration time.
BPA crosses the placenta. Pregnancy is the most sensitive window: even small exposures are linked to changes in fetal brain, immune, and hormone development.
What the research says
A 2025 trial in Sci Rep showed drinking canned soda raised urinary BPA and blood pressure within hours. Tomato sauce, more acidic than soda, typically has higher BPA levels in the final food.
Pregnant women can swap canned tomato for glass jars or tetra-pak cartons of crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Most grocery stores carry them. Fresh or frozen tomatoes also work. Save canned tomatoes for non-pregnancy days or use them less often.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Urinary bisphenol levels and blood pressure after soda consumption from cans, PET and glass bottles. | Sci Rep | 2025 |
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