In a study published in Frontiers in Toxicology on September 24, 2024 (Parkinson et al., 2024), researchers from the Food Packaging Forum identified 189 potential and confirmed mammary carcinogens that have been detected in food contact materials (FCMs) on the market.
This study “shows that there is a huge opportunity for prevention of human exposure to breast cancer-causing chemicals,” said Jane Muncke, Managing Director of the Food Packaging Forum and co-author of the study. “The potential for cancer prevention by reducing hazardous chemicals in your daily life is underexplored and deserves much more attention.”
By comparing a recently published list of potential breast carcinogens developed by scientists at the Silent Spring Institute with the Food Packaging Forum’s own Database on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals (FCCmigex), the authors found that 189 potential and confirmed breast carcinogens have been detected in FCMs, including 143 in plastics and 89 in paper or board (Figure 1).
Figure 1. The number of potential mammary carcinogens as identified by Kay et al. (2024) that have been detected in migration or extraction studies of five food contact material groups (Source: Parkinson et al., 2024)
“Identifying the presence of these hazardous chemicals in food contact materials was possible thanks to our FCCmigex Database,” said Lindsey Parkinson, Data Scientist and Scientific Editor at the Food Packaging Forum and co-author of the study. “This resource brings valuable information from thousands of published scientific studies on chemicals in food contact materials together into a single and easily explorable place.”
“When limiting the comparison to the most recently available studies in FCCmigex (2020-2022) that used migration experiments , which mimic realistic conditions, there is evidence of exposure to 76 potential and confirmed mammary carcinogens from FCMs, 61 of which (80%) are from plastics.”
“In all, the 76 recently detected potential and confirmed mammary carcinogens were in FCMs purchased from markets all over the world including Brazil, Canada, China, Ghana, Egypt, the European Union (Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Spain), India, Iran, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Syria, Turkey, and the United States. This indicates continued exposure of the global population to these chemicals under realistic use conditions.”
“Despite existing regulations intended to limit carcinogenic substances in FCMs, the study highlights gaps in current regulatory frameworks. The food contact articles were purchased within the last few years from markets in highly regulated regions, including the EU and the US.”
“Our findings imply that chronic exposure of the entire population to suspected mammary carcinogens from FCMs is the norm and highlights an important, but currently underappreciated, opportunity for prevention,” the authors explain.
This mammary carcinogens study was published with other articles in the theme of “emerging topics on chemical safety assessment”. The editors of the research topic published an opinion piece on what they consider outdated testing and risk management procedures in US federal risk assessments. (Parkinson et al., 2024; Parkinson, 2024)
How to Reduce Possible Health Risks from Packaged Foods
Several ways to reduce the health risks from packaged foods include the following:
Choose Packaging-Free Options – You can reduce health risks from food packaging by minimizing reliance on packaged foods. Grocery stores and farmers’ markets offer packaging-free options for important items including fruits, vegetables and grains. Shopping in bulk, bringing your own containers and resuable bags, and opting for fresh, unpackaged fruits and vegetables, are easy ways to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals in packaging materials. To summarize:
- Go Bulk: Shop at bulk food stores and fill your own containers with dry goods like grains, nuts, and legumes.
- Go Local: Visit farmers’ markets and buy produce directly from local farmers, many of whom offer packaging-free products.
- Go Local(er): Grow your own vegetables or fruits at home to avoid packaging entirely.
Reuse: Reusable cloth bags, jars, and containers keep food safer, reduce waste and help the environment.
Avoid Plastic Packaging – Plastic is the most common materials used in food packaging, but often contains harmful BPA, phthalates, and other harmful chemical additives, which can find their way into your food. These substances are known endocrine disruptors and have been linked to various health issues such as cancer, as well as obesity, infertility, and developmental disorders. Reducing use of plastic packaging can significantly lower exposure to the effects of these chemicals.
Check out these easy-to-use eco-friendly organic produce bags at the link below:
Organic Cotton Eco-Friendly Produce Bags
If you are using products that come in cardboard packaging, avoid ones treated with water-resistant coatings or contains plastic linings. When you can’t avoid using plastics, look for ones that are labeled BPA-free. They may still contain other harmful chemicals like BPS (bisphenol-S).
Pay Attention to Recycling Codes – Some types of plastics are more harmful than others. Understanding recycling codes on plastic packaging can help avoid them. The recycling code number, typically between 1 and 7, is found on the bottom of plastic containers. Each number represents a different type of plastic. Some are more prone to releasing harmful chemicals. Try to avoid materials using the following recycling codes:
- #3 (PVC): PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, often contains harmful additives like phthalates, which can get into food.
- #6 (Polystyrene): Commonly found in foam take-out containers and disposable cups, polystyrene may release styrene, a chemical linked to cancer.
- #7 (Other): This category includes polycarbonate plastics, which often contain BPA. Be cautious of packaging labeled with this number.
Limit Exposure to Canned Foods – Canned foods are convenient, but they often come with health risks due to lining of their cans. Cans can be coated with a resin that contains BPA. BPA can get into the food, acidic products like tomatoes, has been linked to hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and an increased risk of cancer.
Store Food Safely – Storing food properly at home can help reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. If food packaging is unavoidable at the store, take steps to store food more safely once it’s in your home. Heat, in particular, can accelerate the chemicals from packaging getting into food. It’s important to take the time to use safe storage practices by doing the following:
- Transfer Food to Glass or Stainless-Steel Containers: After purchasing food, transfer out of plastic packaging and into glass or stainless-steel containers for storage. This reduces the risk of chemical leaching over time.
- Avoid Heating Food in Plastic: Never microwave food in plastic containers or plastic wrap. The heat can cause chemicals to leach into the food. Always use microwave-safe glass or ceramic containers for reheating food
- Freeze Food in Safe Materials: If freezing food, don’t use plastic wrap or bags. Instead, use freezer-safe glass containers or stainless steel.
Be Cautious with Takeout and Disposable Packaging – Most takeout containers are made from polystyrene foam, plastics, and other materials that may release harmful chemicals. Frequent consumption of food from these sources increases exposure to potentially toxic substances.
You can be better informed and make smarter choices by looking out for certain brands who offer options with fewer toxins. This includes brands that use sustainable, compostable, or biodegradable packaging materials. A good place to start learning about options for safer packaging can be found in this article. From there, do your own research to buy as smart as possible.
Reducing health risks associated with food packaging is possible through informed decision-making and lifestyle changes. By choosing packaging-free or safer alternatives, avoiding harmful plastics, limiting exposure to canned foods, and adopting better storage practices, consumers can significantly reduce their risk of exposure to toxic chemicals. Moreover, supporting companies that prioritize safer packaging can drive industry-wide change, ultimately leading to healthier food systems for everyone. (Comprehensive Cancer Centers, 2024)
References
Parkinson, LV; Geueke, B; Muncke, J. Potential mammary carcinogens used in food contact articles: Implications for policy, enforcement, and prevention. Frontiers in Toxicology. 2024; DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1440331
Parkinson L. FPF study: Food contact articles from all major markets contain potential and confirmed breast carcinogens. Food Packaging Forum. September 24, 2024. Available at: https://foodpackagingforum.org/news/fpf-study-food-contact-articles-from-all-major-markets-contain-potential-and-confirmed-breast-carcinogens
Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Comprehensive Cancer Centers explores how to reduce food packaging-based breast cancer risks. October 22, 2204. Available at: https://cccnevada.com/comprehensive-explores-how-to-reduce-food-packaging-based-breast-cancer-risks/#:~:text=A%20recent%20study%20noted%20by,packaging%20also%20can%20be%20toxic.
Yates, J., Kadiyala, S., Deeney, M. et al. A toxic relationship: ultra-processed foods & plastics. Globalization and Health. 2024;20:74. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-024-01078-0
Kliemann N, Al Nahas A, Vamos EP, Touvier M, Kesse-Guyot E, Gunter MJ, Millett C, Huybrechts I. Ultra-processed foods and cancer risk: from global food systems to individual exposures and mechanisms. British Journal of Cancer. 2022:14-20. doi: 10.1038/s41416-022-01749-y
UN FAO and WHO. What are healthy diets? Joint statement by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO). Geneva: World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; 2024. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd2223en
Sustainable RDN 