Food Standards Australia New Zealand advises that bisphenol A (BPA), which is used in many plastic food containers and in the linings of tin cans, can be ''safely'' ingested in concentrations up to 600 parts per billion or 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day.

But the authors of a study of BPA levels in tinned foods said there is international evidence the safe limit needs to be lowered.

''The risk has been underestimated in the past and new science is showing that low levels of BPA can be harmful,'' said David Oakenfull, a food scientist who conducted the survey for the consumer group Choice.

While Australian retailers are phasing out baby bottles containing BPA, which can leach into food when containers are heated, there has been less attention to the BPA-contamination risk in canned foods, Dr Oakenfull said.

''Food is sealed in the can and heated under pressure above boiling point to kill bacteria. Before cans were lined [with plastic] the food was exposed to tin, which has its risks, too.''

Choice tested 38 canned foods including baby food and coconut milk and found 29 contained ''concerning'' quantities of BPA. Three of the products - Edgell canned corn, John West tuna and Heinz banana baby custard - contained BPA levels between 300 and 420 parts per billion.

While all the products tested were in the acceptable range for BPA, Dr Oakenfull said FSANZ should review the data but feared industry pressure would prevent it from taking a leading role.

Heinz quietly announced in July that it would phase out BPA from its baby food containers. Simplot, maker of Edgell and John West, is also testing cans with BPA-free linings.

A spokeswoman for FSANZ said the results of its BPA testing would be released this month.

''FSANZ is … sensitive to public concerns about the potential adverse health effects of exposure to bisphenol A but remains of the opinion that there is no health risk for consumers,'' an update posted on its website stated yesterday.

The World Health Organisation will discuss BPA at a meeting in Canada in November.