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Despite significant efforts to regulate the production of fast food packaging, a new study has found that a considerable portion of the packaging still contains high levels of fluorinated compounds, which may lead to cancer or other diseases.
Researchers from non-profit organizations and government agencies collaborated to test the packaging of 27 fast food chains and local restaurants in the United States. Their findings were published in the Environmental Science and Technology Letters, which showed that 40% of the samples tested positive for fluorine, indicating the presence of perfluorinated compounds.
The probability of certain food packaging containing fluorinated compounds is higher. For example, 56% of dessert and bread packaging samples, as well as 38% of sandwich and hamburger packaging samples, contained fluorinated compounds. All paper cup samples tested negative for fluorinated compounds.
Due to growing concerns about the potential threats of perfluorinated compounds to human health, manufacturers have proactively eliminated many of these substances, but scientists now believe that the similar alternatives they have chosen may also have the same effects.
One of the members of this study, Bill Walker from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), stated in an email news release: “In summary, more attention needs to be paid to this issue. We are not blaming fast food chains or saying that one fast food restaurant is safer than another. They may just not have received honest communication from their suppliers.”
The Environmental Working Group calls on food companies to further assess their supply chains and hopes that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will change the way it handles this issue.
In addition to fast food packaging, car seats, receipts, canned foods, and other products that humans frequently come into contact with also contain toxic chemicals.
