Hazardous chemicals in food packaging also enter the human body

Thousands of chemicals used in food packaging and manufacturing seep into the food itself.

“They seep out from the soda can, and from plastic kitchen utensils, and from nonstick pans, and from the cardboard box in which French fries are sold,” says Jane Muncke, a toxicologist in Zurich. “They show up in foods from both retail food packaging and processing equipment, and from your home cookware and cutlery.”

More than 3,600 chemicals found in food packaging have also been found in humans, according to a paper published Tuesday in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. The study was led by Muncke and her colleagues at a nonprofit research group focused on hazardous chemicals in food packaging.

The paper summarizes data from other published sources that support the presence of certain chemicals in humans isolated from blood, urine and breast milk samples. Of the 3,600 chemicals found both in food packaging and in humans, about 80 are known to have “hazardous properties of serious concern” to human health, the researchers said.

Food packaging can enter into a chemical reaction with food. You may have observed this if you’ve ever stored tomato sauce in a plastic jar and seen a reddish residue inside that won’t wash off. “That’s because the molecules that give the sauce its red color have penetrated the plastic,” says Muncke. “It happens in reverse as well – chemicals from the plastic can penetrate the food.”

The leaching of chemicals into food can be accelerated by heat, time, acidic or greasy foods, and how many foods have been in contact with the container before.

Many of the 3,600 chemicals have not yet been well studied for health effects.

But some of them have known links to health problems. As mentioned earlier, researchers have identified about 80 chemicals on the list of those of “high concern” – they are linked to diseases such as certain cancers, developmental disorders, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Chemicals such as phthalates, bisphenols, and metals have adverse health effects.

Phthalates alone, for example, are known to be endocrine disruptors and can affect the body’s hormones. They are used to make plastic flexible and strong, such as in the clear packaging for cucumbers in the grocery store.

The impact of these chemicals can accumulate over time, contributing to chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Scientists also recommend against using plastic food containers in the microwave or washing them in the dishwasher. They say stainless steel and glass are less likely to react chemically with food.

The researchers note that regulators could be of great help by requiring more accurate labeling of chemicals in food packaging. This could help consumers make better choices. Limiting the use of chemicals with known harm in food production and packaging would also help. “We need to get out of the rabbit hole of focusing on plastic bags only in terms of environmental harm,” says the principal investigator. “We need to think about the safety of food packaging.”

Dr. Rödger Laboratory, MDI Ukraine,KyivLeave a request

Helena Medical Group Finland,SavonlinnaLeave a request

LifeCode Laboratory Ukraine,KyivLeave a request

Published: 27.09.2024

Updated: 15.10.2024

Medical author, Medical editor:

Stepan Yuk

Medical expert:

PhD. Olexandr Voznyak