Eating canned soup 'poses a chemical risk'

Tests on 75 volunteers revealed the compound bisphenol A (BPA) was readily ingested and detected in large amounts in the urine, the Journal of the American Medical Association reports. Past studies have linked high BPA levels with adverse health effects. In the EU BPA is used in cans as a coating to prevent rusting and keep food fresh. Some soft drink cans and bottles also contain BPA.

Dr Jenny Carwile, lead author of the study at the Harvard School of Public Health, said: "We've known for a while that drinking beverages stored in certain hard plastics can increase the amount of BPA in your body."