As the Japan Soft Drink Association explains, sterilization should be conducted under the high temperature and humidity conditions required by the Food Sanitation Act (perfect sterilization is difficult, however; for details, refer to the section on ingredients for canned coffee) so, due to their strength, steel cans are used in large quantities.
理由として、食品衛生法で定められた高温・高圧での殺菌を行う（ただし、特性上完全な殺滅は困難。詳細は缶コーヒーの成分の節参照）ため、スチール缶が強度的な面から多用される状況、と全国清涼飲料工業会は見解を示している。