Plastic Linings in Beverage Cans: Are They Safe or Is Glass Better?

At zerotoxins.com, we dive into toxins affecting health, from heavy metals to everyday items. Metal beverage cans rely on plastic linings that, even with advancements, raise concerns. With new BPANI Gen 2 liners and long storage times, are cans safe, or is glass a better choice? Here's what you need to know.

What Are BPANI Gen 2 Linings?

Beverage cans, like those for kombucha or soda, use thin plastic coatings to prevent metal corrosion and contamination. Traditional epoxy linings often contained bisphenol A (BPA) or substitutes like BPS, linked to hormone disruption in studies like those in Environmental Health Perspectives. BPANI Gen 2 liners, designed as bisphenol A non-intent, use polyester-based coatings free of styrene and BPS for improved safety. But these are still plastic-based, leaving some to wonder: do you really want your drink sitting against any plastic liner for months? To see this lining in action, check out this video showing an experiment where a can's metal is dissolved, revealing the plastic liner inside.

Experiment that shows the plastic can liner that is used in beverage cans.

Who Makes These Linings?

Sherwin-Williams and Valspar lead the production of BPANI Gen 2 liners. Using precision spray-on technology, they apply ultra-thin, durable coatings inside aluminum or steel cans. Sherwin-Williams designs linings for acidic drinks like kombucha, while Valspar, now part of Sherwin-Williams, provides similar food-safe coatings. Despite meeting strict regulations, the plastic nature of these linings raises questions about long-term beverage storage.

Storage Conditions and Chemical Risks

Heat significantly impacts can lining safety. Cans stored in hot warehouses or trucks-often exceeding 85 degrees Fahrenheit for weeks or months-face risks of liner degradation. A 2025 study in Science Direct found that prolonged heat increases chemical migration from plastic food packaging into the food/beverage. For live probiotic kombucha, this could harm both safety and the quality of active cultures. Choosing cans kept in a cold chain, refrigerated below 40 degrees Fahrenheit from production to purchase, reduces these risks.

Why Glass Is a Safer Choice

Given these concerns, glass bottles are a better alternative for toxin-conscious consumers. Unlike cans with plastic linings, glass is inert, free of chemical coatings, and doesn't leach substances, even after months of storage. Many kombucha brands now offer glass bottles, often refrigerated to preserve quality.

At zerotoxins.com, we advocate for choices that minimize exposure to environmental toxins, and glass aligns perfectly with this goal. For safer sipping, check for companies that keep their product in the cold-chain from manufacturing to on the shelf or, better yet, choose glass.