A new study has revealed that food packaging includes hazardous chemicals that are legally used in the production of food contact materials in Europe and the US, and cause health problems.
The study entitled 'Food contact substances and chemicals of concern: A comparison of inventories' has been published in the scientific journal.
As part of the study, Food Packaging Forum authors have identified around 175 potentially hazardous substances.
Researchers have classified most of the substances as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic, while others are considered as endocrine disruptors, which are said to interfere with the hormone system.
Some of the hazardous chemicals used in food packaging include thalates, benzophenones, perchlorate, tributyltin and asbestos.
By examining two inventories of hazardous chemicals, the Substitute it Now! list and the TEDX list of endocrine disruptors, the researchers have identified these substances.
These databases comprising food contact substances included the list of food additives authorized in the US, published by the Pew CharitablTrusts in 2013.
In addition, databases include the European Food and Safety Authority's (EFSA) ESCO Working Group list of non-plastic food contact substances and Annex I of EC 10/2011, comprising plastic food contact substances authorized for use in Europe.
Food Packaging Forum managing director Dr Jane Muncke said the chemicals will cause health effects such as predisposition for obesity, diabetes and cancer, later in life.
