New research reveals more than 3,600 food packaging chemicals in human bodies. Is it time we stopped eating food out of takeout containers?

A recent study has revealed that more than 3,600 chemicals used in food packaging and preparation have been detected in human bodies, raising concerns about their potential impact on health. These chemicals, some of which are hazardous, are finding their way into the food we consume, sparking calls for more research and stricter regulations.

Chemicals we don’t know enough about

Of the thousands of chemicals identified, around 100 are classified as being of “high concern” for human health. According to Birgit Geueke, the lead author of the study from the Food Packaging Forum Foundation, some of these chemicals are well-known, while the health effects of others remain largely unexplored.

Chemicals such as PFAS (often referred to as "forever chemicals") and bisphenol A (BPA) are familiar names in the scientific community. Both have been extensively studied and are linked to a range of health problems. PFAS, for example, have been detected in multiple parts of the human body and are associated with various diseases, including cancer, liver damage, and thyroid dysfunction. Bisphenol A, commonly found in plastics, is a hormone-disrupting chemical that has been banned from baby bottles in many countries due to its harmful effects on reproductive health.

However, many of the other chemicals detected—like oligomers, byproducts of plastic production—are still a mystery in terms of their health implications. "There is almost no evidence on the health effects of these chemicals," Geueke said, highlighting the need for further research.

How do these chemicals enter our bodies?

Food contact chemicals (FCCs) are substances that can "migrate" from packaging materials—such as plastic, paper, glass, or metal—into the food we eat. These chemicals can also enter the food chain from other parts of the food-making process, such as conveyor belts and kitchen utensils.

The study originally catalogued about 14,000 FCCs, but researchers were astonished to find 3,601 of them present in human biomonitoring databases, which track chemicals found in human tissues and fluids. This unexpected result underscores how pervasive these substances are.

High concern: PFAS, BPA and Phthalates

Among the most troubling chemicals are the PFAS, which have gained notoriety as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. These chemicals have been linked to a host of health issues, including immune system suppression, developmental problems, and various cancers.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a well-known endocrine disruptor used in the production of plastics, is another substance of concern. BPA can interfere with the body’s hormone systems, particularly oestrogen, and has been associated with fertility problems, breast cancer, and developmental disorders in children.

Phthalates, another group of hormone-disrupting chemicals, are used to make plastics more flexible. They have been linked to infertility and developmental issues, making their presence in food packaging particularly concerning.

What can we do?

While this study doesn’t determine how much of these chemicals we’re exposed to or their specific sources, it does highlight the need for more comprehensive research and better data on their potential health risks.

Duane Mellor, a specialist in evidence-based medicine at Aston University in the UK, praised the study for being thorough but cautioned against panic. Instead, he encouraged consumers to advocate for stronger regulations on chemicals in food packaging. "Rather than being unduly alarmed, people should demand better data and minimise unnecessary exposure," Mellor said.

To reduce exposure to these potentially harmful chemicals, Geueke recommended simple measures like reducing the time food spends in contact with packaging and avoiding heating food in the containers it comes in. Many of these chemicals migrate more easily into food when heated, making microwaving plastic containers or takeout packaging a common source of contamination.

The regulatory response

Some chemicals are already facing bans. The European Union is in the final stages of banning the use of PFAS in food packaging, and a similar ban on bisphenol A is expected to come into effect by the end of this year.

As more research emerges, governments around the world may follow the EU's lead in implementing stricter controls on these hazardous chemicals, protecting consumers from hidden dangers in their everyday meals.

For now, the best way to protect yourself is to stay informed, reduce unnecessary exposure, and support efforts for stricter regulations on food packaging materials.