The packaging of food items is one of the key concerns for Europeans, according to an independent research commissioned by FEVE (The European Container Glass Federation).
The research was carried out by an independent research agency, InSites Consulting, in 11 European countries with over 8,000 consumers about their view of how packaging affected food safety, environment and taste.
The survey found that around 66% of respondents were concerned about potential health risks of chemical compounds entering into food from packaging.
In the survey, eight out of ten believed that the chemical interactions could pose a risk to the health of human beings.
Around 60% of consumers were also worried of contamination of food and beverage contents when packed in plastic containers.
Glass turned out to be the safest packaging option with 61% respondents trusting it than 48% did in 2010 survey.
FEVE secretary general Adeline Farrelly said it is clear that consumers worry about contamination from packaging.
"Nowadays, consumers are looking at how products are stored and packaged - not only at what's written on the label. Studies show packaging materials are leaking chemicals into food; which is a very real concern," Farrelly added.
"An increasing number of Europeans surveyed (87% compared to 74% of those surveyed in 2010) recommend glass as their number one packaging choice for food or beverages. This clearly demonstrates consumers trust glass as one of the most pure and inert materials."
Consumers are required to 'look beyond the label' at a product's ingredients and also at what form of packaging they are buying in order to avoid unwanted contamination from packaging.
Packaging material, glass is said to be chemically inert and does not interact with food and drink products. The material does not interact with its contents and is impermeable to external contaminants.
