The present invention relates to a composition, which is useful for producing coatings for metal sheet substrates of metal cans for storing and/or transporting food or beverages or a lid thereof, and which comprises the following components: (a) 30 to 90 wt. % of a polyvinylchloride-(PVC)-polymer, (b) 7 to 25 wt. % of an acrylic resin, (c) 3 to 40 wt. % of a crosslinking agent, which is produced from phenol, para-tert.-butylphenol, xylenol or a mixture thereof, and formaldehyde, (d) 0 to 8 wt. % additive, (e) 0 to 50 wt. % pigment and (f) a solvent-component,where all weight percentages are on the basis of the total dry weight of the coating composition (without solvents) and the composition is substantially free of bisphenol-A-diglycidyl-ether ("BADGE") and also substantially free of bisphenol-A-resins. The composition provides metal can coatings that have suitable flexibility, scratch resistance, adherence and sterilization resistance when processed in contact with food. The coatings are suitable for three-piece cans as well as deep-drawn metal cans. In particular they are, however, useful for lids that are to be torn open due to their extraordinary flexibility and sterilization resistance.