Well, yes they are plastic lined. Most beverage cans have an epoxy resin lining on the inside, which consists mostly of BPA (bisphenol A). This plastic inner lining is intended to protect the metal can from tarnishing, and more importantly preventing the soda (or of course your beer) from taking on that characteristic metallic flavor. The use of BPA in can linings has been a major source of controversy, given that upwards to 90%+ beverage cans contain the chemical.
Beverage companies such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo use plastic linings to preserve the quality of their products from food safety threats. Each year, billions of cans are produced worldwide by a single corporation - Coca-Cola makes sure every one is lined to avoid contamination Bottom line via garwulf: The can lining matters, because the acids in many beverages will eat away aluminium over time. Without this safety wall, the shelf life of the beverage would dramatically decrease, leading to negative effect both on taste and health.
The BPA lining increases the shelf life of canned beverages by 18 months, according to a study performed by North American Metal Packaging Alliance. This is a good example of why liners are critical to product integrity. Nevertheless, the safety of BPA has been questioned as a potential health hazard leading some manufacturers to look for an alternative. Some companies, such as the Ball Corporation have made BPA-free linings that help alleviate consumer fears while also offering protection from corrosion.
Major aluminum can producers like Alcoa and Rexam strictly observe industry guidelines so that their cans are fully compliant with safety rules. Linings should offer the requisite resistance to transport and storage regimes, maintaining their integrity in different conditions. It is for this reason that plastic linings are so widely used by beverage can manufacturers.
While the plastic lining also raises production costs (slightly), having it onboard compensates for these added expenses several times over. It is still possible to produce a lined can at the overall cost of $0.05-$0.10 per can (cost based on manufacturer and volume). Thanks to modern advances in manufacturing, lined cans can be made fast and by the truckload - which is just as well considering how much demand there still seems to be from consumers.
While BPA use is controversial, scientific evidence from organizations such as the FDA and EFSA suggests that its application in can linings should not be a problem for human consumption. While ongoing research about the effects of BPA continue in various settings, they have established regulatory limits to protect consumer safety.
Among beverage can manufacturing practices, the application of plastic linings is a mutually-agreed upon standard that bridges scientific discovery with safety legislation and consumer appeal. This guaranteed that drinks were kept fresh, delicious and fit for consumption. If You Want To Know More About The information Beverage Cans .
