NSF stamp for food contact. I do not believe they test for phosphates. When it comes to humans and food phosphates are not something that is a dietary concern nor a item that is tested.
When it comes to the water we use phosphates matter.
SO... yes the NSF and FDA might approve for usage these containers for food and food preparation. They are approving it for human food.
As with all items we should rinse/clean them as appropriate. Lack of proper preparation can neseciate higher tested levels due to natural process or other means.
All I was trying to do is either disprove or prove that these cans are either safe or not safe. Hense a hypothesis to start out a simple test. Granted we all do not test the same, we do not all clean the same, and we do not even have the same water or bacteria in our houses.
Fortunately there is a division of NOAA called the National Marine Fisheries Service
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aboutus/aboutus.html
There are also labs throughout the US providing research for marine fisheries and protection of these resources.
Yes this is a Department of Commerce department and subject to sequestration just like the rest of the government at this time.
Has anyone asked a general question toward this group that has many phD's and other acronyms behind their name?
Most people think of this group just for fisheries (the process of fishing.)
Just as the government allows/restricts certain types of fish to be imported into the US due to the invasive nature. These departments are also dedicated to the protection of these fish.