Alarm Raised over Undetected Carcinogenic Substances in Food Containers, Including Supposedly Eco-Friendly Options
Food containers could be silently exposing us to chemicals linked to cancer and a slew of other health issues, even those labeled as 'eco-friendly.'
For ages, experts have cautioned about the hazardous substances lurking within modern plastics, capable of seeping into our meals and potentially causing a cluster of health troubles.
These issues range from cancer, infertility, birth defects, developing delays in children, and increased risk towards kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.
Recently, scientists from the Food Packaging Forum Foundation in Switzerland have raised an alarm over the escalating problem. In their review, they highlighted the unforeseen consequences of our drive to make packaging more eco-friendly.
They explained that boosting the use of recycled materials for plastics and paper could inadvertently lead to a higher concentration of hazardous chemicals in our food packaging. These chemicals then find their way into our meals through simple storage or even heating, like in ready meals.
They also pointed out the elevated risk associated with black plastic items, such as kitchen utensils, as these may contain harmful compounds derived from illicitly recycled plastic waste.
This warning follows a study last year that found 85% of recycled black plastic kitchen utensils contained fireproof substances linked to various health hazards.
Other substances of concern, according to the team, encompass perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), also known as 'forever chemicals.' There's no safe exposure level to these chemicals, and they've been associated with multiple cancers, asthma, fertility problems, obesity, birth defects, diabetes, and autism.
BPA-bisphenol A- and phthalates, common substances in modern plastic manufacturing, were also among the examples provided in the report.
The authors emphasized that chemicals seeping into food presents a significant concern, particularly with ultra-processed foods (UPFs). UPFs are highly-processed items that often come with packaging, extending their shelf life and consisting of colorings, sweeteners, and preservatives.
Ready meals, ice cream, and tomato ketchup are popular examples of UPFs.
Britain takes the crown for the largest UPF consumption in Europe, with the food group making up an estimated 57% of the national diet. The percentage is thought to be even higher in the US.
'UPFs are generally prepackaged and kept for several weeks, months, or even years in their packaging,' the authors explained. 'Many are even directly heated in their packaging (for example, ready-to-eat dishes in plastic trays reheated in the microwave), enhancing the migration of FCCs (chemicals) into food.'
They added that the processing involved in creating these foods could also potentially expose them to plastic materials.
Lead author of the report, Jane Muncke, stressed that while research on the detrimental effects of UPFs is ongoing, the existing data is strong enough to suggest that governments should take action to restrict their consumption.
'Today's packaged ultra-processed foods may be convenient andmoreish, but they contain many synthetic chemicals and microplastics from various sources,' she said. 'We see that the health impacts of this type of food contamination are currently under-appreciated and under-studied.'
The study, published in Nature Medicine, proposed the development of food packaging materials without the same risks to consumers. 'Human exposure to chemicals can be reduced by a systematic shift away from materials that are known to release the most synthetic chemicals and microplastics into foodstuffs,' the team suggested. 'These include paper and board, plastics, and coated metals.'
- The unforeseen consequences of our drive to make packaging more eco-friendly can lead to a higher concentration of hazardous chemicals in our food packaging, potentially causing various health-and-wellness issues like cancer, infertility, and birth defects.
- Scientists have warned about the hazardous substances lurking within modern plastics, including BPA-bisphenol A and phthalates, which can seep into our meals and increase the risk towards health-conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, and autism.
- Items like black plastic kitchen utensils may contain harmful compounds derived from illicitly recycled plastic waste, as a recent study found 85% of recycled black plastic kitchen utensils contained fireproof substances linked to various health hazards.
- The concern of chemicals seeping into food is significant, particularly with ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which are highly-processed, often come with packaging, and contain synthetic chemicals and microplastics like perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which have been associated with multiple cancers and other medical-conditions.
