Spam · Deli Meat & Cold Cuts Packaging
SPAM Variety Gift Pack with Slicer, 9-Count
Lower-concern food product; standard canned meat poses minimal PFAS risk.
SPAM is a shelf-stable canned meat product with a standard steel/epoxy can interior, typical for processed meats and not a known PFAS hotspot. The included plastic slicer is generic polymer and unlikely to contain intentional fluorochemicals.
Shop Spam on Amazon →Material
Canned processed meat; steel can with standard epoxy-based interior lining; plastic slicer tool
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
SPAM is packaged in steel cans with an epoxy-phenolic interior lining, a standard food-contact coating designed to prevent rust and metal leaching. The included plastic slicer is typically made from polypropylene or similar rigid commodity plastic, chosen for food contact because it does not leach BPA or phthalates at room temperature. The meat itself is cured pork with salt, sugar, and nitrates/nitrites as preservatives, not a chemical safety concern from a packaging standpoint.
The brand's record and disclosure
Hormel, the manufacturer of SPAM, does not publicly disclose PFAS testing data or intentional PFAS use in can linings for this product line. The company has not faced major recalls or litigation tied to can-lining leaching in SPAM products. Standard epoxy can linings in the processed meat industry are not flagged by FDA or EPA as sources of concern in ready-to-eat formats.
How it compares in its category
SPAM in steel cans presents lower chemical leaching risk than some alternatives: fresh deli meats in plastic film may have marginal phthalate or slip-agent concerns if overheated, while vacuum-sealed products in high-barrier plastic films have better isolation. Canned processed meats as a category rely on proven epoxy linings and pose minimal comparative hazard. The plastic slicer is a minor convenience item without significant chemical exposure in normal use.
If you buy it
Store unopened cans at room temperature in a dry place; epoxy linings are stable and do not degrade over shelf life. Once opened, transfer uneaten SPAM to a glass or ceramic container and refrigerate; do not store the meat in the original can for extended periods. The plastic slicer is single-use or occasional-use; hand-wash it or wipe with a damp cloth. Do not heat the slicer or cans in a microwave or oven; the epoxy lining is stable at food-service temperatures but unnecessary heating is not recommended.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Epoxy can lining (BPA/BPS migration)
Steel cans with epoxy-phenolic linings in SPAM have no established or reported leaching of BPA, BPS, or other endocrine disruptors under ambient storage or normal consumption. Food and Drug Administration permits these linings for canned meat with no documented safety issue in this product category.
Plastic slicer (BPA/phthalates)
Polypropylene or similar food-contact plastics used in the slicer tool do not contain BPA or regulated phthalates. No heating or abuse of the slicer occurs in typical use, so leaching risk is effectively zero.
Heavy metals in can lining or meat
Lead and cadmium contamination in steel cans or cured pork is not documented in SPAM products. Hormel as a major branded processor adheres to standard heavy metal limits. Nitrates used in curing are regulated food additives, not a leaching hazard from packaging.
Microplastics from slicer degradation
The plastic slicer is rigid and non-abrasive; normal hand use does not cause shedding or microplastic generation. No published reports of microplastic contamination from SPAM slicers exist.
Coating degradation over time
Very old cans (beyond 3-5 years of shelf storage in humid conditions) may show minor epoxy lining degradation, though this is rare with intact exterior paint. If a can shows visible rust spots, bulging, or dents on the interior lining, discard it. Standard home storage poses negligible risk.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More deli meat & cold cuts packaging grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.