The Food and Drug Administration has tapped $30 million in federal stimulus funds researching the potential side effects of bisphenol A - or BPA - a chemical found in almost all canned foods.

BPA became widely known a few years ago when thousands of plastic baby bottles containing the chemical were recalled. Doctors feared it could cause serious health problems such as cancer.

Most canned products like soda, soup and tuna still contain BPA. Some scientists claim it's dangerous - especially for pregnant women.

"BPA has not been found or been proven to harm either children or adults, but because children ... in the very early stages of development are exposed to BPA, the data that we're getting deserves a much closer look," Deputy Health and Human Services Secretary Bill Corr said earlier this year.

The results of the study, which is being conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, are expected to be released late next year.