3600 food packaging chemicals found in human bodies: How reheating food is harming our health.
3600 food packaging chemicals found in human bodies: How reheating food is harming our health.
A recent study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology has discovered over 3,600 chemicals from food packaging or preparation present in human bodies. While we usually believe that washing and cooking food properly allows us to consume all the necessary nutrients, the reality is quite alarming. Researchers have found that these chemicals, some of which can be harmful to health, are detectable in our bodies.
According to reports, approximately 100 of these chemicals are deemed highly concerning for human health, with some potentially being fatal. Among the most commonly detected chemicals in the human body are PFAs and bisphenol A.
For those unfamiliar, PFAs, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a category of synthetic chemicals utilized in various industrial and consumer products because of their resistance to water and grease. They are frequently found in items such as nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, food packaging, and firefighting foams. PFAs are often called “forever chemicals” due to their inability to break down easily in the environment.
As reported by AFP, researchers had previously identified around 14,000 food contact chemicals (FCCs) that can “migrate” into food from packaging made of materials like plastic, paper, glass, and metal. These chemicals can also enter food from other stages of the food-making process, such as through conveyor belts or utensils used in food preparation. The report indicates that a total of 3,601 FCCs have been detected.
One of the lead study author, Birgit stated that the study does not definitively prove that all these chemicals entered the human body solely from food packaging, as there are “other exposure sources possible.”
For those unfamiliar, the detected chemicals include bisphenol A, a hormone-disrupting substance used in plastic production that has already been banned from baby bottles in many countries. Another hormone-disrupting chemical found is phthalates, which have been linked to infertility. The list also features oligomers.
Author emphasized that there is currently minimal evidence regarding the health effects of these chemicals, highlighting the need for further research. Additionally, she warned that these chemicals can interact with one another, citing an example where a single sample contained up to 30 different PFAS.
After the study’s release, it has been suggested to reduce the contact time between food and packaging, as well as to avoid heating food in the packaging it came in. These precautions aim to minimize exposure to potentially harmful chemicals that may migrate from packaging into food, especially given the presence of substances like PFAs, bisphenol A, and phthalates, which can have adverse health effects.
