A recent study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition has examined thousands of chemicals that are present in food packaging, for which the effects on human health have not been thoroughly studied. Food contact materials (FCMs), such as food packaging, can leach hazardous chemicals into the food they touch, posing a health risk to consumers. The study, which is the first evidence base of empirical data on FCCs in all types of FCMs, aims to contribute to the development of non-hazardous FCMs that can lead to safer food.
The study’s researchers compiled a database of food contact chemicals (FCCs) using information from 1,210 studies. From the database, 2,881 FCCs were detected across six FCM groups (plastics, paper and board, metal, multi-materials, glass and ceramic, and other). Of these 2,881 FCCs, 65 percent were previously unknown to be present in FCMs. Whether the chemicals are being added to FCMs intentionally or unintentionally is indiscernible. The toxicity of these FCCs are undetermined.