SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Researchers organized by entrepreneur and venture capitalist Nat Friedman said they found a wide range of plastic chemicals in most tested foods, including the chemicals phthalates and bisphenols, which have been linked to developmental problems in some animals.
The ‘Plasticlist’ team of researchers joined forces to test items purchased in the San Francisco Bay Area and found plastic-related chemicals were found in 86% of 300 food products.
The researchers found phthalates, a group of chemicals often used in plastic production, in 73% of the samples. Bisphenols, another group of chemicals that have been associated with plastics and packaging, were detected in 22% of the samples. Experts believe that these chemicals can leach into food from packaging and containers, especially if heated.
“We were surprised by how widespread these chemicals were in the foods we tested,” a representative of the research team said. “It is evident that exposure to plastic chemicals is part and parcel of our daily life, and this now includes even such seemingly safe things as baby food and prenatal vitamins.”
One of the most striking findings from this study was the presence of phthalates in most of the baby foods and prenatal vitamins. This has several implications for long-term exposure effects on vulnerable populations, such as infants and pregnant women.
Another important discovery was takeout food. Researchers demonstrated that hot foods left in takeout containers for at least 45 minutes contained 34% more plastic chemicals compared with the same dishes tested fresh from the restaurant. Heat, most likely, has played a major role in transferring plastic chemicals from containers into the food.
Interestingly, the researchers also tested Army rations from the 1950s and found high levels of plastic chemicals in those samples. Although it is unexpected that these chemicals were present in older rations, it points to the long-standing problem of plastic contamination in food systems.
Even so, the results show that almost all tested foods fall well within the guidelines for safety put in place by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority. Yet, the scientists say there’s a compelling need to better understand the total effects of prolonged exposure to such low levels of plastic chemicals.
The study has sparked discussions on the safety of food packaging and whether stricter regulations may be necessary to reduce the presence of harmful chemicals in everyday food items.
Read the full study here:
