FSA survey finds excess tin in canned foods

During a survey of canned fruit and vegetable products the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) this week found high levels of tin in samples of 400g cans of Heinz canned spaghetti in tomato sauce. As a precaution Heinz are withdrawing certain batches of thisproduct sold both separately and in four-can multi-packs. The cans affected are those that include MSLD as part of the product code printed on the bottom ofthe can. High concentrations of tin in food irritate the gastrointestinal tract and may cause stomach upsets in some individuals, with symptoms which include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, abdominal bloating, fever and headache. These are short-term effects with recovery expected soon after exposure. The UK Tin in Food Regulations 1992 limit the maximum amount of tin in foods sold in the UK to 200 mg/kg. The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) has supported this limit, which is intended to protect consumers against the potential adverse effects of tin.