In response, industry voluntarily switched to unseamed cans and to sealing can seams with nonlead-solder techniques, such as forge and wire welding. The industry voluntarily stopped packaging infant formula in lead-soldered cans in 1982, according to information submitted to FDA by the Infant Formula Council. As for all of the other canned foods, the Can Manufacturers Institute informed FDA that as of November 1991, lead-soldered cans were no longer produced in the United States. But lead-soldered cans are permitted in some countries that export canned food to us. The interim action levels published this April primarily affect imported food.
Some ethnic groups use imported canned foods as staples in their diets.
Also, food in lead-soldered cans may enter the United States through individual purchases outside the United States. Investigators found that the same product had entered the United States through import channels. To decrease the possibility of lead leaching from coated foil capsules into wine, wipe the bottle rim and top of the cork with a cloth dampened with water or lemon juice. The upcoming FDA proposal to prohibit the use of lead-soldered food cans would prevent such incidents. As an additional measure, FDA has sent letters to more than 65 countries to inform them of FDA's concerns and to learn about their regulations on lead-soldered food cans.