A new warning from scientists about food additives: Billions of nanoparticle food additives can reach infants, even crossing the placenta during pregnancy. These chemical food additives can change the baby’s gut microbiome and damage gut cells. This phenomenon, researchers believe, likely raises allergy and immune disorder risk.
Category: Food Packaging Chemicals
Stopping Toxic Chemicals in Food: GAO Recommends FDA Appeals to Congress
Scientific laboratory testing has demonstrated that food and food packaging in the U.S. contains toxic chemicals/additives. Yet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lacks the legal power to compel food manufacturers to provide information to the FDA so they can review the level of public health risks of the chemicals in question (like PFAS and BPA in food packaging that migrates into the food). Now, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has conducted an investigation and created a report that has recommended that FDA request this authority from Congress.
FDA to Gather Data on PFAS in Food Containers
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it is opening a docket to obtain information about the use of PFAS in food packaging, including collection of data on food packaging products that contain PFAS, review of potential exposures that could result from such packaging, and an evaluation of the health effects.
Toxic PFAS Found in Food Packaging
Scientists tested over 100 different products ranging from salad bowls to burger wrappers from restaurant and grocery chains to measure the level of toxic PFAS chemicals. Researchers found PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in bowls, bags, plates, and wrappers, even from some companies that claim they have phased them out.
FDA Reopens Comment Period on Phthalate Food Packaging Chemicals
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reopening the comment period, seeking additional scientific data and information on nine currently approved phthalates. Scientific studies have demonstrated that phthalates are harmful endocrine-disrupting chemicals commonly used in U.S. food packaging where they can migrate to the food you eat.
Cancer-causing Chemicals Leaching into Food from Packaging: Scientists
Scientists have now identified over three thousand chemicals leaching into food from the food packaging. Experts warn that some of the chemicals found were extremely dangerous and could cause cancer.
Ban PFAS in Food Containers Bill vs PFAS Manufacturers and Big Chemical
The bipartisan bill known as “Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act” is getting another chance among legislators with S.3169 – Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2021. The purpose of the legislation is to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of food packaging containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals.
PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ found in Tuna, Fish Sticks, Protein Powder and Baby Food, says FDA
On August 26, 2021 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it had found PFAS “forever chemicals” in some processed foods.
States with New PFAS Laws
PFAS chemicals have among the strongest bonds in chemistry and at the present time there is no ‘death’ of these chemicals, meaning they do not break down over time, but appear they will live on “forever”. PFAS chemicals are not regulated by the U.S. government so it is up to individual states to determine and regulate PFAS chemicals to protect their residents. Many states are not addressing the PFAS problem, but some are. Here are some state laws being proposed or enacted to help protect state residents by at least minimizing exposure to the dangers of PFAS.
Radio Program-Podcast: PFAS
Today’s program will offer a quick and dirty overview of everything you need to know about PFAS…what it is, why we should care about its potential impact to humans, animals and the general environment, where it is hiding, and how you can help minimize exposure to it.