A food-grade metal can is a can made from steel or aluminum that meets safety standards for direct food and beverage contact, typically with an inert internal coating to protect the contents. The metal provides a hermetic seal that blocks light, oxygen, and moisture, giving canned products a long shelf life without refrigeration. Cans are produced in monobloc, 2-piece, and 3-piece formats depending on the product and fill method. Evergreen supplies food-grade cans from 100ml to 1250ml (3.4oz–42oz) with food-safe, BPA-NI, PAM, and epoxy lining options.

The difference is in construction: a 2-piece can is drawn from a single sheet of metal to form the body and base as one unit, while a 3-piece can joins a rolled body with a separate top and bottom end. 2-piece cans have no side seam, giving a smooth surface well suited to high-quality printing and beverages. 3-piece cans are more versatile across sizes and shapes, making them common for a wide range of processed foods.

Evergreen supplies monobloc, 2-piece, and 3-piece food-grade cans to match the format each product requires.

Most metal food cans have a thin internal lining that keeps the metal from reacting with the food, and modern cans increasingly use BPA-NI linings. BPA-NI stands for "BPA non-intent," meaning the coating is formulated without the intentional use of bisphenol A. Common alternatives include epoxy, film coatings, and PAM (polyester-based) systems, selected based on the food's acidity and processing conditions. Evergreen offers food-grade, BPA-NI, epoxy, PAM, and film-coated lining options.

Food-grade metal cans are available across a wide capacity range to suit everything from single servings to bulk foodservice packs. Evergreen supplies cans from 100ml to 1250ml (3.4oz–42oz) in a variety of shapes. Opening options include easy-open ends, foil seals, threaded nozzles, REL openings, and cone top / pour top. The right size and opening depend on the product, fill method, and how the consumer will use it.

The choice between aluminum and steel depends on the product, format, and branding goals. Aluminum is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making it a strong fit for beverages, premixed cocktails, and products where a sleek finish matters. Steel (tinplate) is durable and cost-effective, and it's widely used for processed foods like vegetables, soups, and fruit.

Evergreen supplies both aluminum and steel food-grade cans and can advise on the best fit for a given product.

Both steel and aluminum food cans are widely recyclable and are among the most recycled packaging materials, as metal can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality. This makes cans a strong option for brands working toward circular-economy and sustainability goals. Recyclability can be affected by linings and decoration, so it's worth confirming the full spec. Evergreen also offers sustainable material options across metal, plastic, and glass formats to help brands meet environmental targets without compromising performance.

Metal cans are suited to a broad range of shelf-stable foods and beverages because they create an airtight, light-proof seal that preserves freshness. On the food side, this includes canned tomatoes, corn, fruit, soups, olives, condensed milk, and olive oil. On the beverage side, cans are increasingly used for spirits and premixed cocktails such as vodka, rum, tequila, and whiskey. Evergreen supplies food-grade cans with lining and opening options matched to each product's requirements.

Food-grade can quality is verified through checks on seam integrity, coating coverage, dimensional accuracy, and leak resistance to ensure a reliable hermetic seal. Comprehensive offline stability testing and consistent testing at the production line are what prevents defects like corrosion, seam failure, or lining gaps from reaching the fill line. Evergreen audits every facility in its network across 165 quality management metrics and keeps QC engineers onsite at all productions globally, so issues are caught during manufacturing rather than after delivery.