Food Contact Chemicals Used in Production and Packaging Are Finding Their Way Into Humans

This article first appeared in the October 2024 issue of Presence Marketing’s newsletter.

By Steven Hoffman

Researchers working with the Food Packaging Forum discovered that of the roughly 14,000 known chemicals that are used in food manufacturing and packaging, approximately 25% or 3,601 of these food contact chemicals (FCCs) have been found in the human body. The chemicals include bisphenol, PFAS, phthalates, metals, volatile organic compounds, and many others that have been linked to endocrine system disruption, diabetes, obesity, neurodevelopment disorders, cancer and other diseases. 

The study, Evidence for Widespread Human Exposure to Food Contact Chemicals, published in September 2024 in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, comprehensively searched biological data collections for detections of FCCs in humans, such as from samples of blood, urine, skin, and breast milk. The data is now assembled and available in a public listing with an interactive search tool.

“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,” lead author Birgit Geueke, Ph.D., and Senior Scientific Officer at the Food Packaging Forum, said in a news release.

When the research team reviewed scientific literature to learn what is known about FCCs detected in humans, they concluded there is a broad lack of knowledge of the effect of these chemicals on human health, and the potential hazards of many of these chemicals have not yet been sufficiently investigated. For other chemicals that migrate from packaging into the food, such as synthetic antioxidants and oligomers (a type of non-intentionally added substance that may be present in plastic food contact materials), the authors pointed out that little is known about their presence in and impact on humans.

“Many of these FCCs have hazard properties of concern, and still others have never been tested for toxicity,” the researchers wrote. “Humans are known to be exposed to FCCs via foods, but the full extent of human exposure to all FCCs is unknown.” It also is likely that the actual number of FCCs in humans is even higher because only a subset of FCCs was investigated in detail, noted the study’s authors.

Dr. Jane Muncke, co-author of the study, expressed concern over such widespread chemical exposure, stating, "This work highlights the fact that food contact materials are not fully safe, even though they may comply with regulations, because they transfer known hazardous chemicals into people. We would like this new evidence base to be used for improving the safety of food contact materials—both in terms of regulations but also in the development of safer alternatives."

The Great Chemical Migration
From shrink wrap and takeout containers to plastic bottles and coated paperboard packaging, scientists have known for years that chemicals can migrate out of food packaging into the food itself. We all know not to microwave food in plastic packaging, as high temperatures can cause the plastic to leach into the food. Foods high in fat or acidity also tend to absorb more chemicals from packaging, reported the Washington Post. Foods packed into smaller containers have increased risk of chemical crossover, too — Muncke shared with the Washington Post that on a recent flight she was given a tiny container of salad dressing. “They served the salad with a 15ml little plastic bottle with olive oil and vinegar that you could pour over. I thought, ‘Well, I’m not doing that,’” she said.

Muncke also shared with the Washington Post that while most of the chemicals leaching from food packaging come from plastics, “Probably the worst one is recycled paper and cardboard. And I know that’s a hard one to stomach.” Recycling paper, cardboard or plastic for food packaging leads to non-food grade inks mixed in next to food, she said, adding to the chemical exposure risks. However, in a positive regulatory move, FDA announced in February 2024 that paper and paperboard food packaging coated with grease-proofing PFAS chemicals would no longer be sold in the U.S.

In January 2024, Consumer Reports published an investigation into plasticizers used in food packaging to make plastic containers softer, more flexible and durable. Phthalate compounds — the ones most commonly used as a plasticizer — are so ubiquitous that it has been reported that 95% of all humans have detectable levels of phthalates in their urine. What Consumer Reports found in tests of nearly 100 foods was that bisphenol and phthalates are widespread in food products. “We found them in almost every food we tested, often at high levels. The levels did not depend on packaging type, and no one particular type of food — say, dairy products or prepared meals — was more likely than another to have them,” Consumer Reports said. From canned sliced fruit to pasta to yogurt containers, the investigation found high levels of phthalates in the packaging. Some organic products the consumer advocacy group tested also were not immune to high levels phthalates detected in product packaging.

In addition to packaging, foods are often subject to chemical exposure in the production, manufacturing and potentially in the transport process. According to Consumer Reports, while early efforts to limit food exposure to such chemicals focused on packaging, “…it’s now clear that phthalates in particular can also get in from the plastic in the tubing, conveyor belts and gloves used during food processing, and can even enter directly into meat and produce via contaminated water and soil.”

Leah Segedie, founder of consumer advocacy group Mamavation, has conducted PFAS investigations into a number of different consumer products, and also to provide consumers with guidance in searching for products free of such chemicals. In 2022, she released a report about PFAS contamination of pasta sauces, both organic and conventional. Out of the 55 different pasta sauces she tested in 2021, 17 were organic and four of those, or approximately 25%, had detectable levels of PFAS.

“I believe that PFAS contamination of organic products is also taking place during the manufacturing process and when products get transported,” Segedie told Max Goldberg, Editor of Organic Insider. “What is touching the food? Was a contaminated lubrication used on a machine? Was food stored in a vat that was fluorinated, as it was crossing the Pacific Ocean in an incredibly hot shipping container? Does the food contain contaminated spices? All of these and many other variables are the reason why the end-product should be tested, not just the ingredient,” she said.

Finding PFAS Free Alternatives
Responding to growing concern over “forever chemicals” in food and consumer packaged goods, a number of natural, organic and conscious CPG companies are offering alternatives for products that contain PFAS. The Environmental Working Group compiled a list, updated in January 2024, of companies that have declared their products have no added PFAS, in including food, fashion, beauty care and other consumer products categories. Online retailer Thrive Market this year announced in a blog on its website that, “Though more research is needed, PFAS are being studied as potential carcinogens. This month, Thrive Market added PFAS to its list of non-compliant chemicals and substances, meaning that you won’t find it in any products on our site.” 

Businesses such as HeyBamboo, a toilet paper brand made from 100% bamboo, is committed to using absolutely no plastic in its packaging. “The wrap is made from bamboo, and so is the core of our toilet paper and paper towel products,” said company founder and CEO Joslyn Faust. “We like to say that we’re sustainable to the core,” she said. Another emerging brand, Generation for Change, is committed to making plastic-free health and personal care products, stating that it’s “a company made for the plastic-free generation.” In 2022, FoodTank reported on 19 food and beverage companies looking to move beyond plastic packaging

For natural and organic food brands, Charles Haverfield, CEO of U.S. Packaging and Wrapping, offered this counsel in 2023 in Sustainable Packaging News: “Selecting suitable materials for organic packaging demands a discerning approach. Choose options that minimize the presence of unwanted chemicals while upholding organic and sustainable principles. Materials like compostable plastics, plant-based fibers and paper offer a natural breakdown without leaving behind harmful residues. Glass and metal containers, which are highly recyclable and chemically inert, limit interactions with the packaged goods. Steer clear of some conventional plastics, as they can harbor hazardous additives like phthalates and bisphenol-A. Instead, explore alternatives like bio-based plastics or cellulose-based materials. It's important to note that while aluminum is recyclable, certain aluminum-coated packaging materials may contain additional coatings that clash with organic principles.”

A number of packaging suppliers are offering PFAS free options, such as Good Start Packaging, Delfort, CarePac and others, which offer compostable fiber and paper food packaging with no added PFAS. In January 2024, Organic Produce Network reported that a new third-party packaging standard, GreenScreen Certified — a collaboration between the Center for Environmental Health and Clean Production Action — will certify packaging products that are free from PFAS, as well as “thousands of other chemicals of high concern to human health and the environment.”

Learn More

Video Abstract: Evidence for Widespread Human Exposure to Food Contact Chemicals

Full Study: Evidence for Widespread Human Exposure to Food Contact Chemicals 

Summary of Study: Evidence for Widespread Human Exposure to Food Contact Chemicals  

Database on Food Contact Chemicals Monitored in Humans (FCChumon)

Food Engineering Magazine: Get the PFAS Out of Food Packaging Materials ASAP

Guide to PFAS Free Food Packaging

Mamavation Guide to Avoiding Products with Forever Chemicals

Environmental Working Group Guide to Companies Marketing Alternatives for Products that Contain PFAS

Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural, providing public relations, brand marketing, social media and strategic business development services to natural, organic, sustainable and hemp/CBD products businesses. Contact steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com.

Mamavation Hosts Massive Glyphosate Free Product Giveaway to Begin Feb. 7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Leah Segedie, founder of Mamavation.com, will host a product giveaway that concentrates on Glyphosate Free brands from all over North America.

What: Mamavation’s Big Glyphosate-Free Giveaway
When: Feb. 7-14, 2023
Where: Two giveaways on Mamavation and one on Instagram
Info: Mamavation.com

LOS ANGELES (February 6, 2023) – Mamavation, an eco-wellness community for women interested in safe products for their homes and families, will host a giveaway of glyphosate-free products from Feb. 7-14 on their website and Instagram.

The community has a reach through its email list and social media platforms of over 300,000 consumer advocates and influencers who are interested in monitoring the levels of toxic chemicals in commonly used products.

“Mamavation consumers are in love with brands that provide more transparency in this constantly changing world,” said Mamavation founder Leah Segedie. “This is why we are happy to support brands that have gone that extra mile to prove they are free from the toxic herbicide glyphosate." 

Sponsors will donate a range of products worth a total of more than $4,000, which will be divided among three winners.

The post on Mamavation.com will discuss glyphosate, ways to avoid it, current news or interesting topics and the giveaway. The site will also go into detail on how a brand becomes Glyphosate Residue Free. 

Glyphosate is one of the world’s most widely used pesticides, applied primarily as an herbicide and often also as a pre-harvest drying aid in major crops such as oats, wheat and pulses. Outside of agriculture it is widely used as a weed killer for parks and gardens in products such as Roundup. As consumers become aware of the dangers of glyphosate contamination in their food supply, many are turning to the Glyphosate Residue Free (GRF) certification seal for peace of mind as they choose their groceries. 

Natural Product Brands Respond to Benefit of GRF Seal
Natural product brands responded positively to the giveaway and support testing for toxic chemicals, especially glyphosate, which is widely used. Joline Rivera, who donated products for the giveaway from her Chicago-based Red Belly Honey company, said that she places a high value on the “tenacity and will it takes to be glyphosate residue-free” and that her audience is “very impressed” by certifications, so the company pays special attention to them. She says the company was involved early in the labeling movement in California and takes it seriously. 

“Issues surrounding glyphosate are very familiar to us — knowing our product is pesticide-free tells our customers we care about what they’re putting into their bodies,” Rivera said. “We have a motto around here … if it has to do with helping people feel better and bees living longer — it has to do with Red Belly Honey."

Paul Greive, founder and vice president of sales and marketing of Pasturebird.com, which sells pasture-raised chicken, said consumers have found loopholes in the food labeling system and seek greater transparency from companies claiming to sell safe and healthy food. “The Glyphosate Residue Free label provides consumers with an unbiased, lab-based verification that their food is free of glyphosate,” Greive said. “We’re excited to partner with Mamavation and The Detox Project to bring the integrity and transparency that modern consumers expect.”

The Detox Project provides Glyphosate Residue Free certification, which verifies that products do not contain the world’s most used herbicide. These types of certification are growing fast in the U.S. and around the world as consumers become more concerned about toxic chemicals in their food and household products. Products are tested by independent laboratories and must meet stringent standards to use the certification.

Frank Bergin, president of North Stonington, Connecticut-based Jovial Foods, recalls that, when he heard about The Detox Project, he “fell in love with their mission” because transparency in the food industry has become so important to consumers. “We owe it to consumers to be transparent about ingredients,” he said. Mamavation shares their mission to help consumers find non-toxic food, Bergin said. “We are so excited to partner with them for the first-ever Big Glyphosate Free Giveaway this month!” he added.

Consumers can begin entering the contest on the Mamavation website on Feb. 7. 

About Mamavation
Mamavation, founded by Leah Segedie, is an online community and investigative service that empowers women through eco-wellness. Mamavation focuses on wellness as a lifestyle, health for everyone and sustainability. It is a judgment-free zone of women from all walks of life – from deep green to light green, united by a determination to provide healthier homes, support the brands that create better products, and treat other women with respect and dignity. Mamavation has been investigating grocery store products and food for several years and has a list of recommended toxic-free products. 

For more information, visit Mamavation at www.mamavation.com or contact leah@mamavation.com. Follow Mamavation on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.

About the Glyphosate Residue Free Certification Program
Glyphosate Residue Free certification verifies that a specific food, supplement or beauty product does not contain the world’s most used herbicide. Glyphosate Residue Free certification is one of the fastest growing certifications in the U.S. and around the world. You can find the brands and the products that are already certified here. A third-party ISO 17025 accredited laboratory regularly tests certified products to make sure they do not contain glyphosate residues. To be certified Glyphosate Residue Free, products must have no glyphosate residues down to government-recognized limits of detection (LODs) for food, commodity and supplement samples (usually 0.01 ppm), and lower levels than default government Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in the European Union and Japan.

For more information, visit The Detox Project at www.detoxproject.org or contact info@detoxproject.org. Follow The Detox Project and the Glyphosate Residue Free Certification Program on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts
Leah Segedie, Mamavation, leah@mamavation.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com