(AmericanProsperity.com) – New research has shown that more than three thousand different chemicals that are approved for food contact packaging, kitchenware, or food processing equipment have been found in humans.
The chemicals in question have been found in human blood, breast milk, and hair. There are compounds that are quite toxic like PFAS, metals, phthalates, volatile organic compounds, and bisphenol. The researchers have said that the knowledge gap has shown the need for scrutiny of food contact chemicals.
“What is certainly of concern is that we have a strong link that shows some hazardous chemicals … migrate from packaging into food, so there is a contribution to exposure from packaging,” said Brigitte Geueke, a study co-author with the Food Packaging Forum.
The study looked into fourteen thousand chemicals that were approved for food contact and they checked databases and scientific literature for evidence regarding the human contact for each.
Humans are also exposed to these chemicals in other scenarios as well, so this doesn’t prove that food packaging is the only source that’s allowing these chemicals to enter the body.
One of the worst compounds found in the body is plastic, which itself can contain thousands of chemicals. There are many factors that could allow these chemicals to get into food at higher rates, such as higher temperatures or acidity. It’s said that the ratio of product or packaging also matters as food in smaller containers can be more contaminated.
Researchers recommend protecting themselves by buying food in glass jars which usually have much less chemicals in them. Some researchers have said that they even bring their own glass containers into restaurants when they want to take home leftovers instead of utilizing a plastic container from the restaurant.
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