Oh happy day! Tomatoes BPA-free

[puglogic]

I can as many of my own organic tomatoes as I'm able, but I invariably run out after just a few weeks. So I turn to canned tomatoes, usually Muir Glen Fire-Roasted Tomatoes. We both love those darned things.

Now I've learned that they have completed their transition to BPA-free cans, and I feel a lot better about it. Not better than home-grown, mind you, but better.

Check out the form letter they send out (and note the caveat...yeh, whatev, I'll decide what my "tolerable daily BPA intake" is, thankyouverymuch)

Dear Ms. Pug,
Thank you for contacting Muir Glen about bisphenol-A or BPA.

As of October 2011, Muir Glen canned tomato products do not utilize BPA in product packaging.

Muir Glen continues to believe BPA is safe based on the weight of evidence of scientific and governmental bodies worldwide, including comprehensive risk assessments in Japan and the European Union along with the European Food Safety Authority’s reaffirmation in December 2011 of its opinion that there is no new evidence to suggest the tolerable daily intake of BPA needs to be lowered. The FDA has also endorsed the safety of current exposure levels.

However, we know that some of our consumers have chosen to avoid BPA, so we had been looking for alternatives. Working with our can suppliers and can manufacturers, Muir Glen was able to develop and test a safe and viable alternative that does not use BPA for our canned tomato products. We began transitioning to those linings with the fall 2010 tomato pack – and we completed that transition with the 2011 tomato pack.

Your views are important to us. Again, thank you for contacting Muir Glen, and thank you for your support of our products.

Sincerely,

Consumer Services

[TMC]

This is good news, I also can most of what I need but sometimes you need to buy them....thanks for sharing.

[Charity]

Thanks for letting us know this. I can most of my own but there are times that I need to buy them. I was really excited by this news.

[Bastelmutti]

I use the Pomi tomatoes in Tetra-Paks - not sure if there is some other chemical there, but I read about that being BPA free.

[studentofecology]

That is wonderful news, thanks for sharing. Our climate is mild enough, and my yard small enough, that I haven't managed to get a crop large enough to can yet, so my tomato paste and sauces and such have to come from the store.

[folkypoet]

Yay! Muir Glen will get my dollars, and I'll get to stock the pantry with canned tomatoes again!

[puglogic]

To celebrate, I'll share my Chipotle Tomato Bisque recipe:

2 Tbl olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder (or red pepper flakes for a less smoky taste)
2 28-oz cans Muir Glen fire-roasted tomatoes (don't drain) or home-canned equivalent
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1 tsp butter

Saute the onion in olive oil for 5-6 minutes on low-med, 'til soft, adding the garlic and chili powder in the last 2 minutes or so. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer for about 30 mins, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat, stir in the basil and butter, and let cool a bit before pureeing with a stick blender, regular blender, or food processor.

If I want a really silky soup, I will push the soup through a fine strainer after blending (I save the solids for putting on garlic bread, yum.) and mix in some cream or milk. If I'm lazy, I'll just top it with a dollop of sour cream, creme fraiche, or plain yogurt. Hunk of french bread and a crisp green salad, and I'm in seventh dinner heaven in no time flat.

Off to eat the leftovers from last night's......