Certain chemicals are leaching from food packaging into food and have been detected in human bodies — and a new study sheds light on just how much. Whether all of these chemicals pose significant health risks, however, remains to be seen.
The analysis, published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology on Monday, reveals that 3,601 food contact chemicals, or FCCs, were found in human samples of urine, blood and breast milk. The researchers say that these chemicals include bisphenols (which are used in plastics) and PFAS (common in nonstick coatings and waterproof materials), both of which have been linked to health hazards.
“Food packaging — and other types of food contact articles, like kitchenware, food processing equipment and food storage containers — can leach their chemical constituents into foodstuffs,” Dr. Jane Muncke, co-author of the study, tells Yahoo Life. “When people ingest foodstuffs, these so-called food contact chemicals can enter into their bodies. In our study, we show that 3,601 known food contact chemicals have been detected in people. Some of these — 79 — are of high concern due to their hazard properties.”
However, the study also noted that the potential hazards of many other chemicals, including synthetic antioxidants (not the same as the disease-fighting kind found in fruits and vegetables) and oligomers found in plastics, have not been thoroughly investigated, leaving their safety largely unknown.
What we know — and don’t know — about these chemicals
We don’t know the health implications of every chemical that seeps into our bodies via contact with food packaging. “We know that many chemicals leach from food packaging into foodstuffs, but lack hazard data and information on human exposure for most,” says Muncke.
But we do know that there are risks from PFAs and bisphenols. PFAs have been linked to health issues like cancer, hormone problems and a weaker immune system, while bisphenols are associated with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Back in February, the Food and Drug Administration shared that grease-proofing products with PFAs are no longer being sold by manufacturers for use in materials that come into contact with food in the U.S. This includes things like food wrappers as well as microwavable popcorn bags, takeout containers and pet food bags.
“This is a very good and important development but not enough,” says Muncke. “There are a dozen more chemicals known to be of high concern to human health, leaching from food packaging and measured in people.”
Muncke says it’s important to note that some of these chemicals may also be used in other kinds of products — not just food packaging — and that their presence in people doesn’t explain where they originated. But she says that banning these chemicals from food contact materials would help reduce human exposure and “most likely could contribute to prevention of chronic diseases that are increasing, such as neurological disorders, immune system disorders, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancers and reproductive disorders.”
She adds: “So the FDA could play a very important role here by banning the use of these known, highly concerning chemicals from food contact articles.”
The FDA has previously stated that while BPA (bisphenol A) can leach into food or drinks in small amounts, it has reviewed research and determined that these low levels are not harmful based on current evidence.
What experts think — and how to lower overall exposure
Dan Jones, professor emeritus in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology at Michigan State University and former associate director of the MSU Center for PFAS Research, tells Yahoo Life that we know “very little about the potential health risks of FCC exposure.”
He notes that “a central theme in toxicology is that the dose makes the poison, that the risks depend on the amounts of chemicals we are exposed to as well as the inherent toxicity of food contact chemicals. For most, we know very little about either the levels of exposure of different people or the potential health effects.”
Jamie Alan, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, calls the study results “concerning” and tells Yahoo Life that scientists are learning more and more about food contact chemicals every day. “In general, it is pretty well accepted that exposure to these materials can cause issues for human health. We also know that many people have been exposed to many of these compounds throughout their lifetime. What we don’t have a great handle on is how these materials cause health issues, and we also don’t have a great idea of what level of exposure is concerning.”
Government regulations can be helpful, Jones notes, in order to identify (and remove) concerning chemicals used in food packaging.
“Some governments require that manufacturers demonstrate that their products are safe, whereas others only regulate once evidence appears that they are not safe,” he says. “It’s challenging for individuals to act without more knowledge of what is in the products they use.”
Until more is done, Alan says that the best thing you can do is minimize your overall exposure, including by using filters to reduce PFAS found in drinking water, for example, and being aware of what types of food containers you are using. “Glass food storage seems to be a bit safer, but there are barriers including accessibility, feasibility and financial barriers,” she says.
As Alan points out, “an important concept to remember is that we will be exposed to something in our environment at some point, and likely many things throughout our lifetime. Taking steps to minimize exposure is important. Also, in general, our body is well equipped to handle expected levels of environmental insults. Ultimately, we need more data, which will inform government regulations.”