Toxic chemical from food packaging found in humans

The plastic wrap around your food isn't as harmless as it might seem

Nowadays, many people try to eat clean and live sustainably. However, choosing organic produce and less packaging or turning to various markets that overprice their products just because of the claims about cleanliness and quality of the groceries might not be the solution.

People fear microplastics and other things like pesticides that activists and other experts teach us to avoid. This is why people alter their habits of buying groceries and eating in general. Some may even turn to growing their own produce to limit chemicals used during the growing of the vegetables or fruits.

However, not every person can choose a life like this. Growing your basil or rosemary on their windowsill is not difficult, but having a greenhouse or a full-on garden requires a lot more than a balcony or a room with a growing light.

Unfortunately, microplastics, pesticides, and chemicals used when growing these products are not the only ones that can affect our health. Research found that plastic wrapping and other packaging are pretty dangerous, too. A recent study revealed that over 3,600 chemicals can seep into food from packaging.

Of these, 79 are known to be harmful, causing cancer, genetic changes, and problems with the endocrine and reproductive systems. Birgit Geueke from the Food Packaging Forum led this study, which was published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology^[1].

Birgit Geueke explained, "Our study shows how chemicals from food packaging can affect people. It points out chemicals that haven’t been closely watched before and supports the need for safer packaging materials."

The alarming findings shocked even experts themselves

Martin Wagner, a biology professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, was not involved in the research but noted, "The sheer number of chemicals is alarming. It shows that food packaging is a major source of chemical exposure in people."

The research connects the dots between the chemicals used in food packaging and their presence in humans. Although these materials often meet government standards, they might not be entirely safe. Jane Muncke, another lead researcher, emphasized the need for more transparency about these chemicals^[2].

"We need more information on how much of these chemicals are used in food packaging compared to other products like cosmetics," she said. "It would be great if companies had to report exactly what chemicals they use in products that come into contact with our food."

Reacting to the study, the American Chemistry Council highlighted its commitment to food safety but urged that risk assessments consider broader contexts, such as existing regulations and the actual levels of exposure that might pose a risk. In line with U.S. chemical regulation laws, it cautioned against making decisions without solid evidence of causality.

More evidence shows that there are many things than just microplastics that can be consumed unknowingly

A common chemical found in food and the human body is bisphenol A (BPA), which used to be in baby bottles, sippy cups, and formula containers. It is reported that parents stopped buying those products over ten years ago. Often, people avoid products like this and look for Tupperware and drinking bottles without it. Many manufacturers advertise their products as BPA-free since it has been linked to serious health issues.

In babies and children, it can cause problems like low birth weight, abnormal development, and behavior or brain disorders. In adults, it’s been connected to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, erectile dysfunction, and even an increased risk of early death, CNN said.

Another group of chemicals found in people are PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are estimated to be present in 98% of Americans, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Researchers also found phthalates, a chemical linked to genital malformations in baby boys, lower sperm counts, and reduced testosterone levels in adult men. Studies have also tied phthalates to childhood obesity, asthma, heart problems, cancer, and early death, as reported.

Having any chemicals in your body poses a danger to your health

To understand how these chemicals end up in people, researchers compared 14,000 chemicals used in food packaging with data on human exposure to toxins from international databases. They also looked at chemicals found in blood, urine, breast milk, and tissue samples to see if they matched those found in food^[3].

Just having these chemicals in the body doesn't always mean harm, but "we shouldn’t have any chemicals in our bodies at all," said Melanie Benesh from the Environmental Working Group. She told CNN the real question is, "Do we need these chemicals to process our food? When we know they can harm us, we should try to remove any exposure we can."

However, making that happen isn’t easy. In 2022, a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office pointed out that the FDA has limited power to oversee food manufacturers and ensure food safety.

Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, told Congress last week that the FDA prioritizes food chemical safety. However, big challenges remain, including better access to safety information and data on how much of these chemicals people are exposed to. This data would help the FDA act more quickly and protect consumers.

For the first time, the FDA will hold a public hearing on September 25 to discuss improving its assessment of food chemicals. "This is a big deal," Benesh said. "It’s the first time the FDA is talking about a serious review program that puts human health and chemical safety first and starts to restore consumer trust in the agency."