Shocking Findings: Nearly 200 Cancer-Causing Chemicals Found in Food Packaging

A recent study by the Food Packaging Forum has uncovered nearly 200 potential breast carcinogens in food contact materials (FCMs) like plastics and paper, raising concerns about ongoing exposure despite existing regulations, SciTech Daily reported yesterday.

Researchers compared a list of potential carcinogens from the Silent Spring Institute with their own database, discovering 189 carcinogens in FCMs, including 143 in plastics and 89 in paper.

Lindsey Parkinson, lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of their FCCmigex Database, which compiles data from thousands of studies on food contact chemicals. The research indicates that 76 suspected mammary carcinogens are present in FCMs purchased globally, with 61 (80%) sourced from plastics.

Despite regulations aimed at limiting these harmful substances, the study reveals significant gaps in oversight, suggesting chronic exposure to these chemicals is common. Jane Muncke, Managing Director of the Food Packaging Forum, stressed the need for enhanced preventive strategies to minimize human exposure to these hazardous chemicals in everyday products.