Alarming Chemicals Leach From Packaging Into People
A recent study highlights that plastic wrap and other food packaging materials may not be as harmless as previously thought. According to the research, over 3,600 chemicals can leach into food from these packaging materials. Alarmingly, 79 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, genetic mutations, and reproductive or endocrine system issues. The findings were published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology on Tuesday.
The study, conducted by a team of international researchers, aimed to draw connections between food packaging chemicals and human exposure. Birgit Geueke, senior scientific officer at the Food Packaging Forum and lead author of the study, emphasized that the research sheds light on chemicals often overlooked in biomonitoring studies and advocates for the development of safer food packaging materials.
Experts were taken aback by the study’s results. Martin Wagner, a professor of biology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, described the number of chemicals detected as staggering. Wagner, who was not involved in the study, noted that it is the first comprehensive analysis linking food packaging chemicals directly to human exposure.
The study reveals that while food packaging materials may adhere to regulatory standards, the chemicals they contain may still pose risks. Jane Muncke, senior author and managing director at the Food Packaging Forum, stressed the need for transparency regarding the types and amounts of chemicals used in food packaging. She suggested that regulatory requirements should mandate disclosure of these details to consumers.
In response to the study, the American Chemistry Council defended its members’ commitment to food safety but cautioned that any risk assessment should consider existing regulations and the actual levels of exposure. The council emphasized that proposed actions should be informed by a comprehensive risk assessment.
Among the chemicals found were bisphenol A (BPA), known for its association with various health issues, and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are prevalent in the blood of a large portion of the U.S. population. Phthalates, another group of chemicals identified, have been linked to several health problems, including reproductive issues and various chronic conditions.
The research team compared 14,000 chemicals used in food packaging with databases tracking human exposure to these substances. They found that having these chemicals in the body does not necessarily indicate harm, but the presence of such chemicals raises concerns about the necessity of their use in food processing. Melanie Benesh of the Environmental Working Group highlighted the importance of minimizing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Addressing these concerns presents a challenge, as noted in a November 2022 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, which outlined the FDA’s limitations in food safety oversight. However, Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, recently testified that improving food chemical safety is now a priority. The FDA is scheduled to hold a public hearing on September 25 to discuss enhancing its assessment of food-related chemicals, marking a significant step towards more rigorous safety evaluations.
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