Thousands of Potentially Harmful Chemicals from Food Packaging Found in Humans

New, peer-reviewed research has found that over 3,600 chemicals approved for use in food packaging, kitchenware, or food processing equipment are present in human blood, hair, and/or breast milk. A number of these compounds known to be highly toxic, like forever chemicals, bisphenol, heavy metals, phthalates, and volatile organic compounds, are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and other deleterious health impacts. Many others, like synthetic antioxidants used as preservatives or oligomers used to stabilize packaging ink, have very limited research behind their approvals, which makes a toxicological profile difficult to establish.

The research adds to a growing body of literature that demonstrates the migration and leakage of some hazardous chemicals from packaging into food. Among the worst offenders is plastic packaging, a largely unregulated material that can contain thousands of chemicals. But metal cans can also contain silicone and coatings that contain toxic or understudied compounds. Even paper and cardboard products are not immune as more and more manufacturers coat these containers with forever chemicals or plastic layers to prevent grease and other leakage. Rates of chemical leaching vary depending on a number of factors, with things higher temperatures, fat content, and acidity, while foods in smaller containers can also become much more contaminated.

Buying foods in glass jars, bringing your own glass containers to restaurants for leftover packing, and removing food from plastic containers bought at a store can reduce the amount of time chemicals have to transfer from packaging. But avoiding these chemicals completely is impossible and the real solution to reducing our exposure to these toxins is through stronger regulation. Many chemicals in the US are approved under the US Food and Drug Administration’s “generally regarded as safe” rule, which lacks the necessary scrutiny required to allow these chemicals to be used for food contact. The FDA does not require the consideration of new science after a chemical is approved for food contact. While the government has begun to take steps to reduce forever chemicals in our water supply, much more needs to be done as quickly as possible. If you are concerned about food safety, you can contact your state and federal representatives and urge them to work to pass stronger laws that require a more thorough analysis of these chemicals before they’re permitted in our food packaging.