3,601 Chemicals in Food Packaging Detected in Humans

A new peer-reviewed study has revealed that many chemicals from food packaging are present in human bodies, indicating that the chemicals are transferring from the packaging to the food itself.

Although these chemicals are found in other products, food packaging presents a particular risk to human health due to the direct consumption of contaminated food. Further, chemicals from plastic packaging, including food storage containers, can react and leach into food when heated, such as in a microwave.

The study, published in the journal Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, looked at the data on more than 14,000 food contact chemicals (FCCs) and compared it to five biomonitoring programs, three metabolome/exposome databases and existing scientific studies on FCCs.

Of the more than 14,000 known FCCs reviewed in the study, scientists found that 3,601 of these chemicals had been found in human bodies. Some of these FCCs included chemicals of known concern, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenols and phthalates, that have been linked to health risks. About 80 of the FCCs found in human bodies were considered hazardous or of high concern, NPR reported.

“Many FCCs are of concern for human health because they have hazard properties such as carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reprotoxicity (CMR), endocrine disrupting properties, bioaccumulation potential, and/or persistence,” researchers wrote in the study.

But as the researchers noted, some of the chemicals, such as synthetic antioxidants and oligomers, require more research to determine how exposure could impact human health. The missing or incomplete data means that many more chemicals could pose higher risks to human health. 

But even for the chemicals with known links to health risks, scientists said it can still be difficult to identify or avoid them, NPR reported.

As a result of their findings, scientists from the nonprofit Food Packaging Forum Foundation developed a database on these chemicals and a free, interactive dashboard for people to learn more about FCCs and how exposure to these chemicals may affect human health.

“Our research helps to establish the link between food contact chemicals and human exposure, highlights chemicals that are overlooked in biomonitoring studies and supports research into safer food contact materials,” said Birgit Geueke, lead author of the study.

As NPR reported, chemicals found in plastics and food packaging can accumulate in the body, but they can also clear out of the body within several days after limiting exposure. One way to limit exposure includes storing food in metal or glass containers rather than plastic, but experts are also recommending more information and labeling on food packaging to help consumers avoid potentially harmful chemicals.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is set to hold a public meeting this Wednesday, September 25, to share more information on updates to its process for assessing chemicals in food and food packaging and get feedback from the public and stakeholders.