Is It Safe to Cook Canned Food in the Can?

Canned food is convenient, shelf-stable and usually easy to prepare. But it’s not always safe to cook canned food in the can itself. This is because the metal in the can can react with the food inside, potentially leaching harmful chemicals into your meal.

Cans are typically made from aluminum or tin-plated steel. Aluminum is considered a safe material for food storage, but it can react with certain foods, such as tomatoes and acidic fruits.

When this happens, small amounts of aluminum may leach into the food. It’s also possible for tin from tin-plated steel cans to leach into food.

Another concern is that cans are often lined with plastic or a type of epoxy resin containing bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is an endocrine disruptor that has been linked to various health problems.

When heated, BPA may leach into food. This is why it’s important to avoid cooking canned foods in the can.

If you do want to cook canned food in its container, choose cans made from stainless steel or other non-toxic materials rather than aluminum or tin-plated steel. You should also check that the lining does not contain BPA.

Conclusion:

It’s generally not recommended to cook canned food in the can due to potential health risks associated with leaching metals and BPA from the container into your meal.