Scientists Discover Over 3,600 Food Packaging Chemicals in Human Bodies

A study released on September 17 reveals that over 3,600 chemicals from food packaging and preparation have been found in human bodies. While some of these chemicals are known to be harmful, little information is available about many others.

A Major Concern For Health

Birgit Geueke, the lead author of the study from the Food Packaging Forum Foundation, stated that approximately 100 of these chemicals pose significant health concerns. Chemicals such as PFAS and bisphenol A, which are relatively well-researched, have already been detected in human bodies and have been subject to bans.

Geueke informed the news agency AFP that there is limited information about the health impacts of many other chemicals and called for further research into how these chemicals from packaging are ingested with food. The researchers previously noted that there are around 14,000 food contact chemicals (FCCs) that can migrate into food from packaging materials like paper, glass, metal, or plastic. These chemicals can also originate from other elements of the food preparation process, such as utensils or conveyor belts.

The researchers examined existing biomonitoring databases for these chemicals, initially expecting to find only a few hundred food contact chemicals (FCCs). However, they were surprised to discover 3,601, representing a quarter of all known FCCs. The lead author of the study highlighted that the research cannot definitively attribute all these chemicals to food packaging, as other sources of exposure may also be responsible.

Migrate From Plastics Into Food

Bisphenol A, a hormone-disrupting chemical used in plastic production, was also detected. This chemical is already banned from baby bottles in many countries.

Another chemical identified is phthalates, which are associated with infertility. There is also limited information about oligomers, which are byproducts of plastic production. Geueke noted, “There is almost no evidence on the health effects of these chemicals.” 

Geueke acknowledged that the study could not determine the concentrations of the chemicals found. However, she cautioned that these chemicals migrate from plastics into food, highlighting one sample that contained up to 30 different chemicals.

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