Consumer Reports has found a “widespread” presence of plastics in food despite the associated health risks. They have urged regulators to reevaluate the safety of plastics used in contact with food during production.
On Thursday, the non-profit consumer group reported that, out of 85 supermarket foods and fast foods recently tested, 84 contained “plasticizers” identified as phthalates—a chemical employed to enhance the durability of plastic.
Additionally, the study revealed that 79% of the food samples examined contained bisphenol A (BPA), along with other bisphenols—a chemical also present in plastic. However, the levels were lower compared to tests conducted in 2009.
According to Consumer Reports, none of the detected phthalate levels exceeded the limits set by U.S. and European regulators.
It also mentioned that there is no confirmed safe level of phthalates according to scientists, emphasizing that this lack of confirmation does not ensure the safety of the foods consumed.
Phthalates and bisphenols have the potential to interfere with the production and regulation of estrogen and other hormones, potentially increasing the risk of various health issues such as birth defects, cancer, diabetes, infertility, neurodevelopmental disorders, and obesity.
Annie’s Organic Cheesy Ravioli topped the list of tested supermarket foods, containing the highest amount of phthalates in nanograms per serving at 53,579. Following closely were Del Monte sliced peaches and Chicken of the Sea pink salmon.
Increased levels of phthalates were also detected in items like Cheerios, Gerber baby food, and Yoplait yogurt, as well as various burgers, nuggets, and fries from Wendy’s, Burger King, and McDonald’s.
Consumer Reports noted variations among similar products. For instance, the 33,980 nanograms per serving of phthalates in Wendy’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets exceeded the level in McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets by more than four times.
“That tells us that, as widespread as these chemicals are, there are ways to reduce how much is in our foods,” said James Rogers, who oversees Consumer Reports’ product safety testing.
Consumer Reports’ Call for Plastic Safety Reassessment:
The consumer group emphasized that a reassessment of the risks associated with plasticizers by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other agencies is “long overdue and crucial.”
Among the tested products, only Polar Raspberry Lime Seltzer showed no presence of phthalates.
General Mills, the parent company of brands such as Annie’s, Cheerios, and Yoplait, did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Similarly, Burger King and Wendy’s did not respond immediately to similar requests.
Chicken of the Sea and Del Monte stated that they do not add phthalates to their food and receive similar assurances from their suppliers. Del Monte also mentioned that phthalates are “widespread in the environment.”
Gerber and McDonald’s stated that they adhere to regulatory requirements and implement thorough testing for chemicals in packaging.
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